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BOOK    974.67.SH24H   c.  1 
SHARPE    #   HISTORY   OF   SEYMOUR 
CONNECTICUT 


3  T153  OOOSSflfl?  t. 


"==ir^? — -^^r^ 


^^^-^55j-^§J|K3'li>34>5 


HISTORY 


'*i^ 


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^S 


OF 


SEYMOUR, 


co:j^necticut, 


WITH 


BIOGRAPHIES  AND   GENEALOGIES. 


^y   V/.  C.  SHAfR^PE. 


RECORD    PRINT. 

SEYMOUR,  CONN. 
1879. 


» »3S>K)a-'=^^ 


Entt'icd,  iicconliiii:  to  act  of  Coiigiess,  in  the  year  1879,  by  "\Vii,i-iam  C.  Siiaki'K. 
Ill  tbe  office  of  the  Libraiian  of  CongieHs,  at  Washington. 


P  R  E  F  A  C  E  . 


In  the  suninicr  of  1870  several  historical  sketches  were  published  in  the 
Seymour  Kecord,  and  with  a  view  to  put  these  sketches  in  more  conven- 
ient form  for  preservation  the  type  was  made  up  iu  book  form,  commencing 
with  page  eight,  ami  then  proceeding  to  search  the  old  records  for  additional 
matters  of  local  interest,  the  work  has  grown  to  the  present  form.  Owing  to 
to  the  limited  time  which  could  be  spared  from  other  duties  for  this  purpose, 
and  having  been  printed  in  sections  from  time  to  time,  as  there  was  oppor 
tunity,  it  is  not  so  systematically  arranged  as  could  be  desired;  yet  it  is  hoped 
and  believed  that  the  volume  contains  a  large  amount  of  inforuuition  which 
will  be  of  interest  to  all  who  have  resided  for  any  c(Uisideral)le  length  of  tinu' 
in  this  immediate  ^'icinity. 

In  glancing  over  these  pages  some  may  inconsiderately  call  this  or  that 
statement  or  date  incorrect,  but  most  of  them  have  been  verifted  by  old 
manuscripts  and  records,  often  a  considerable  time  having  been  spent  in 
sifting  down  and  correcting  accounts  which  have  been  given  from  memory  or 
tradition.  The  writer  will  be  grateful  to  any  persons  discerning  errors  in  this 
volume  if  they  will  forward  to  him  the  particulars.  Xo  doubt  there  are  many 
old  and  forgotten  manuscripts  laid  away  in  garrets  or  closets,  which  would 
be  highly  valued  by  antiquarians  and  till  many  an  interesting  page  for  the 
general  reader.  The  composition  of  such  a  woik  as  this  may  be  an  easy  matter, 
but  the  collection  of  the  material  re(iuires  long  and  patient  research  in  hundreds 
of  volumes  and  faded,  woi-n  and  sometimes  almost  illegible  manuscripts.  The 
writer  acknowledges  indebtedness  to  IJev.  8.  C.  Leonard,  Rev.  Sylvester  Smith 
and  B.  W.  Smith,  Es(|.,  for  sketches  of  the  s<;veral  churches,'  and  to  (J.  V. 
Baldwin  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  others  for  much  valuable  inf(H-uiation. 
The  following  works  have  been  used  for  reference  or  quotation  :  Savage's 
Dictionary  of  the  r:arly  Settlers,  Dwight's  Tra\<ds,  Lambert's  History  of 
New  Haven  Colony,  Trumbull's  History  of  Connecticut,  Barber's  Connecticut 
Historical  Collections,  Colonial  Records  of  Connecticut,  Peters'  History  of 
Connecticut,  and  Cothren's  History  of  Woodbury. 

Prices  of  produce,  etc.,  have  occasiomilly  i)een  given  as  a  basis  of  com- 
parison of  values  in  earlier  times  and  the  present,  and  many  comparatively 
unimportant  incidents  recorded  which  may  some  time  be  heli)s  in  fixing  dates 
or  deciding  matters  of  greater  interest. 

References  to  the  town  or  its  records  previous  to  the  division  iu  LSoO  will 
be  understood  as  referring  to  the  town  of  Derby. 

Hoping  that  the  perusal  of  the  work  nuiy  be  a  source  of  pleasure  to  all 
its  readers,  and  that  our  elderly  friends  who  have  been  familiar  with  numy 
of  the  occurrences  described  nuiy  be  gratified  with  the  memories  of  "Auld 
Lang  Syne,"  the  "unwritten  history,"  which  will  be  called  to  mind,  this  volume 
in  respectfully  submitted. 

W.  C.  Sharpe. 
Seymour,  Nov.  13th,  1878. 


'HE  early  settlers  were  too  much  occupied  in  the  arduous  labors  required 
^  in  establishing  homes  in  the  wilderness  to  pay  any  unnecessary  attention 
to  the  recording  of  their  transactions,  and  the  merest  mention  here  and 
there,  with  occasional  documents  which  have  been  handed  down,  afford 
but  scant  material  for  a  narration  of  their  lives,  labors  and  liberties. 
This  portion  of  the  valley  of  the  Nangatuck  was  first  distinguished  by  the 
Falls,  as  the  most  remarkable  feature  of  the  kind  in  the  length  of  the  river. 
The  long  ridge  of  rock,  through  an  opening  of  which  the  water  rushed,  foaming 
and  tossing,  into  the  depths  lijelow,  were  well  known  to  the  whites,  as  well  as 
the  red  men,  at  a  very  early  date.  The  especially  fine  fishing  below  the  rocks, 
and  the  abundant  game  on  the  forest-clothed  hills  and  in  the  natural  meadows 
of  the  vales,  were  grand  attractions  to  the  hunter,  trapper  and  fisherman, 
whether  of  aboriginal  or  Anglo-Saxon  blood.  Dr.  Trumbull,  is  his  history  of 
Connecticut,  says  that  as  early  as  1633  there  was  a  tribe  of  Pequot  Indians 
at  the  "Falls  of  the  Naugatuc." 

It  appears  from  the  early  colonial  records  that  the  lands  were  generally 
purchased  of  the  Indians  by  the  early  settlers  at  a  fair  valuation ;  indeed.  Dr. 
Trumbull,  (p.  174-5)  says  that  "many  of  the  adventurers  expended  more  in 
making  settlements  than  all  the  lands  and  buildings  were  worth  after  all  the 
improvements  they  had  made  upon  them."  In  the  account  of  the  settlement, 
of  the  controversy  between  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  in  regard  to  the 
boundary  line,  the  107,973  acres  awarded  to  Connecticut  were  "sold  in  sixteen 
shares,  in  1716,  for  *  *  *  a  little  more  than  a  farthing  an  acre,  and  shows  of 
what  small  value  land  was  esteemed  at  that  day.  It  affords  also  a  striking 
demonstration,  that,  considering  the  expense  of  purchasing  them  of  the  natives, 
and  of  defending,  they  cost  our  ancestors  five,  if  not  ten,  times  their  value." 

In  1664,  Okenance  or  Akenanco  was  sachem  of  "Pagassett,"*  and 
Ansantwan  (sometimes  written  Ansantawae,)  were  chiefs,  as  appears  in  a  deed 
given  by  them  to  Lieut.  Thomas  Wheeler,  April  4th,  1664.  Towtaemoe  was 
then  a  sachem  of  another  portion  of  the  valley,  according  to  a  deed  given 
Jan.  6th,  1664,  by  Lieut.  Thomas  Wheeler  of  Pagassett  to  Alexander  Bryan 
of  Milford.  The  land  conveyed  was  "bounded  with  Potatuck  river  southwest, 
Naugatuck  river  northeast,  &  bounded  on  the  northwest  with  trees  marked  by 
Towtaemoe,  sachem,  containing  forty  acres,  more  or  less." 

*  This  name  is  spelled  in  various  ways,  as  Patigassett,  Pagiiasuck,  &c.  Also  the  Naugatuck 
varies  in  orthography  from  Nau-ko-tunk  to  Naguatonk.  In  copying  old  manuscript  records  the 
original  spelling  of  the  names  is  followed,  although  there  are  sometimes  ditiferent  spellings  in  the 
same  document. 


6  SEYMOUR  a:SD  VICINITY.  • 

Of  the  grants  to  settlers  by  the  proprietors,  in  lawful  meeting,  the  follow- 
ing from  the  Derby  records  is  a  specimen. 

"The  inhabitants  of  Paugassett  met  together  on  April  the  5th,  1071,  and 
have  granted  to  Ebenezer  Johnson  a  tract  of  land  bounded  on  the  north  side 
with  the  common  land,  and  on  the  west  side  with  the  great  river,  and  on  the 
south  side  with  the  Devil's  Jump,  so  called,  and  on  the  east  with  the  common 
land,  and  the  said  Ebenezer  Johnson  is  engaged  to  build  and  fence  and  inhabit 
on  this  land  within  the  space  of  time  of  two  years  after  the  date  hereof:  and  if 
the  said  Ebenezer  fulfill  not  the  terms  hereof  the  land  is  to  return  to  the  in- 
habitants again:  and  the  said  Ebenezer  is  to  make  a  sufficient  highway 
between  his  fence  and  the  hill,  and  so  maintain  it." 

On  the  first  of  April,  1092,  "Huntawah  and  Conchupatany,  Indians  of 
Paguasuck,"  sold  to  David  Wooster  "a  certain  parcell  of  land  on  the  north- 
west side  of  jSTaguatock  river,  in  the  road  that  goeth  to  Rimmon,  the  long, 
plain  soe  called  in  the  bounds  of  Derby,  be  it  bounded  with  Nagatuck  river 
south  and  east,  and  north  and  west  with  the  great  rocks." 

'Conquepotana  and  Ahuntaway,  chieftains  at  Paugusset,  on  the  17th  of 
June,  1085,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  other  Indians,  sold  to  Robert  Treat, 
Esq.,  Samuel  Eells,  Benjamin  Fenn,  Thomas  Clark,  and  Sylvanus  Baldwin, 
agents  of  ]\Iilford,  a  tract  of  land  "lying  above  the  path  which  goeth  from 
New  Haven  to  Derby,  and  bounded  with  said  path  south,  and  a  brook  called 
Bladen's  brook,  (on  the  south  side  of  Scucurra,*  or  Snake  Hill,)  north,  with 
the  line  that  is  the  bounds  between  New  Haven  and  Milford,  east,  and  the 
line  that  is  the  bounds  between  Derby  and  Milford,  west,  which  said  land  was 
a  mile  and  six  score  rods  in  breadth  throughout  the  length  of  it."  The  Indians 
"reserved  the  liberty  of  hunting  on  this  ground." ' 

'A  purchase  was  made  on  the  29th  of  February,  1700,  by  Robert  Treat, 
Esq.,  Mr.  Thomas  Clark,  Sen.,  Samuel  Buckingham,  Sen.,  Lieut.  Sylvanus 
Baldwin,  and  Ensign  George  Clark,  agents  for  Milford,  of  a  tract  of  land 
"lying  northward  of  Bladen's  brook,  unto  a  brook  called  Lebanon  brook, 
bounded  north  by  said  Lebanon  brook,  east  by  New  Haven  land,  south  by 
Bladen's  brook,  and  west  by  the  line  between  Derby  and  jMilford  ;  said  laud 
being  a  mile  and  six  score  rods  in  breadth."  The  consideration  given  for  this 
land  was  £15  in  pay,f  and  15.S-.  in  silver.  The  deed  was  signed  by  nine  In- 
dians, viz  :  Conquepotana,  Ahantaway,  Rasqueuoot,  Waurarruntou,  Won- 
ountacun,  Pequit,  Suckatash,  Durquin,  and  Windham.  This  tract  of  laud 
was  divided  and  laid  out,  in  1759,  into  one  hundred  and  ninety -five  shares  or 
rights  and  is  commonly  called  the  "two  bit  purchase,"  from  the  circumstance 
of  each  buyer  of  a  right  paying  for  the  same  two  Spanish  bits,  of  eight 
twelve  and  a  half  cent  pieces.  This  purchase  now  forms  the  northwest  part 
of  Woodbridge.'     ( Milford  Record,  Vol.  11.) 

'Another  and  the  last  purchase  of  land  within  the  old  patent  bounds  of 
Milford,  was  made  by  the  same  committee,  on  the  2;3d  of  February,  1702,  of  the 
same  Indians,  for  £5  in  money,  or  otherwise,  £7  lO*-.  in  pay,!  bound  south  by 
Lebanon  brook,  east  by  Milford  and  New  Haven  line,  north  by  Beacon  Hill 
river  or  Waterbury  line,  and  west  by  the  line  between  Derby  and  Milford  ; 
being  a  mile  and  six  score  rods  in  width.  This  was  called  the  "one  bit  pur- 
chase,'' and  was  laid  out  in  1709,  into  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  whole 
share  rights.  This  land  is  now  tlie  western  part  of  Bethany.  (^lilford 
Record,  Vol.  15,  page  281.)  Thus  it  appears  that  Milford  once  extended 
twenty   miles  north  to  Waterbury   line,  but  its   territory  has  been  ceeded  to 

*  Xow  called  Skokoiat.  t  See  explauation  of  cuneiic}'  terms  on  page  8. 


SEYMOUR  AJfD  VICINITY.  7 

help  form  other  towns,  till  it  is  now  contracted  into  a  little  triangle,  of  about 
six  miles  in  length  on  each  side.' — Lamberfs  History  of  the  Colony  of  Xew 
Ha  aen. 

On  the  15th  of  Aug.,  1093,  a  tract  of  land  "known  by  ye  name  of  Aces- 
quantook  and  liockhousehill,  bounded  south  with  ye  Four  Mile  Brook,  north 
with  ye  Five  Mile  Brook,  east  with  Woodbury  road  as  it  now  is,  and  west 
with  ye  Great  River,"  was  sold  to  "Wui.  Tomlinson,  Senior  and  Junior,  and 
widow  Hannah  Tomlinson,  James  Hard,  Johnathan  Lum  and  Timothy 
\V"ooster,"  for  twenty  pounds,  by  Mawquash,  Cheshconeeg,  Neighbor  Rutt, 
Cockapatouch,  Nonnawauk,  SVouson,  Keuxon,  Raretoon,  Tarchun,  Rashkan- 
noot,  Ohomasfeet,  proprietors  of  Weeseantook,  with  the  consent  of  their  saga- 
mores. The  acknowledgement  was  made  before  Justice  Ebenezer  Johnson. 
Four  Mile  Brook  is  the  stream  flowing  into  the  Housatonic  at  Squautuck,  and 
Five  Mile  Brook  is  the  first  considerable  stream  above. 

On  the  16th  of  April,  1700,  Cockupatain,  sachem,  and  Runsaway,  gentle- 
man Indians  of  Derby,  for  four  pounds  ten  shillings,  sold  to  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Johnson  and  Ensign  Samuel  Riggs  a  piece  of  land  "bounded  southward  with 
y^  littel  river,  eastward  &  northward  with  David  Wooster  his  land  &  y"^  above 
sd  Captain's  &  Ensign's  land  &  nugatuick  river,  westward  &:  north  with 
*  *  *  Indian  purchase."  The  same  day  "Cockupatain  and  Huntaway, 
Indians  of  Derby,"  sold  to  Capt.  Ebenezer  Johnson  &  Ensign  Sanmel  Riggs 
"a  certain  parcel  of  meadow  and  upland  lying  at  y*"  upward  of  Chestnut  Tree 
Hill,  containing  twenty  acres,  more  or  less. 

Derby,  including  what  is  now  Seymour,  was  taken  from  Milford,  one  of 
the  six  towns  of  the  New  Haven  colony.  It  was  incorporated  by  the  authority 
of  New  Haven  in  1675,  when  there  were  in  it  only  twelve  families.  The 
bounds  between  Derby  and  ]Milford  were  not  laid  out  till  1(380. 

The  following  list  contains  the  names  of  all  settlers  of  the  town  who  had 
taken  the  freeman's  oath  down  to  1708. 

Maj.  Ebenezer  Johnson,  Stephen  Pierson,  John  Riggs, 

Ens.  Samuel  Riggs,  Joseph  Hawkins,  Francis  French, 

Lieut.  Thomas  Wooster,  Timothy  Wooster,  Dea.  Abel  Holbrook, 

William  Nashbon,  Samuel  Brinsmaid,  John  Thoobals, 

John  Johnson,  Edward  Riggs,  John  Chatfield, 

Ebenezer  Harger,  Joseph  Moss,  Jeremiah  Johnson, 

John  Durand,  W'illiam  Tomlinson,  John  Pringle, 

Samuel  Conors,  Ens.  Joseph  Hulls,  Samuel  Nichols, 

Josiah  Colding,  David  Wooster,  Johnathan  Lum, 

Deacon   Isaac  Nichols,  Henry  Wooster,  James  Hard. 

John  Davis,  Ephraim  Smith, 

That  wolves  and  panthers  were  still  common  is  evident  by  the  passage  of 
an  act  by  the  (lenei'al  Assembly  in  October,  1713,  ofteriug  a  bounty  of  forty 
shillings  to  any  person  who  should  kill  a  wolf,  catamount  or  panther,  "and 
half  as  much  for  every  wolves'  whelp." 

In  1720,  "it  being  moved  by  the  proprietors  of,  and  within  the  town  of 
Derby,  that  a  deed  of  release  and  quit-claim  of  and  in  the  lands  of  said 
town,"  the  Assembly  granted  that  such  deed  be  executed. 

Among  the  military  appointments  by  the  General  Assembly  were  those 
of  Joseph  Hulls  as  ensign  of  the  local  "trainband"  m  May,  1707,  lieutenant  in 
1809,  and  captain  in  1716.  Serj*  Thomas  Wooster  was  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly appointed  Lieutenant  in  October,  1706,  and  commissioned  accordingly. 


8  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

Samuel  Nichols  was  appointed  ensign  in  1709.  In  1716  John  Riggs 
was  appointed  lieutenant,  and  in  1722  was  made  captain.  He  was  one  of 
the  deputies  to  the  General  Assembly  in  1717,  and  again  in  1722.  Ebene- 
zer  Johnson  was  a  lieutenant  colonel  in  the  expedition  to  Port  Royal,  (N.  S.), 
in  August,  1710,  and  soon  after  was  promoted  colonel.  Ebenezer  Johnson, 
Jr.,  was  appointed  ensign  in  1816,  and  lieutenant  in  L722.  Samuel  Bassett 
was  appointed  ensign  in  1822. 

The  duties  of  the  train-band  were  often  difficult  and  dangerous.  The  In- 
dians were  numerous,  and  the  history  of  the  colony  in  those  early  days  shows 
but  too  well  that  constant  vigilance  was  a  condition  of  safety. 

The  tract  of  land  just  over  the  Oxford  line  and  west  of  Little  River,  con- 
sisting of  about  one  hundred  acres,  and  known  as  the  Park,  was  enclosed 
about  the  middle  of  the  last  century  by  a  Mr.  Wooster  for  the  purpose  of 
keeping  deer.  On  one  side  of  the  inclosure  there  was  an  overhanging  rock 
from  which  the  hunted  deer  would  sometimes  leap  into  the  inclosure,  much 
to  the  discomfiture  of  the  disappointed  huntsmen.  This  was  one  of  the  parks 
referred  to  by  Peters  in  his  history  of  Connecticut  published  in  1781. 

In  the  olden  time  they  were  particular  to  give  every  man  his  title :  mag- 
istrates and  ministers  were  called  Mr.,  church  members  were  called  brethren 
and  sisters,  and  those  who  were  not  in  church  fellowship  were  simply  good- 
man  and  goodwife.  As  there  were  frequent  demands  upon  the  military,  they 
were  held  in  high  respect  and  all  military  titles  were  scrupulously  observed. 
The  early  records  abound  with  the  titles— ensign,  sergeant,  lieutenant,  cap- 
tain and  colonel.  In  christening  infants  scriptural  names  and  religious  terms 
were  most  common,  as  for  example.  Content,  Charity,  Deliverance,  Desire, 
Experience,  Faith,  Orace,  Hope,  Justice,  Love,  Mercy,  Makepeace,  Patience, 
Pity  Praisegod,  Prudence,  Rejoice,  Sillence,  Thankful,  &c. 

On  account  of  the  lack  of  money  paynents  were  often  made  in  produce 
of  various  kinds.  The  following  extract  from  the  "Travels  of  Madam 
Knight,"  who  made  a  journey  from  Boston  to  New  York  about  1695,  gives 
a  good  representation  of  the  currency  of  the  time. 

"They  give  the  title  of  merchant  to  every  trader  who  rate  their  goods  according  to  the  time  an** 
specie  they  pay  in,  viz.,  pay,  money,  pay  as  money,  and  trusting.  Pay  is  grain,  porli,  and  beef, 
&,c.,  at  the  prices  set  by  the  general  court  that  year  ;  money  is  pieces  of  8,  ryals,  or  Boston  or 
Bay  shillings,  (as  they  call  them,)  or  good  hard  money,  as  sometimes  silver  coin  is  called  by  them  ; 
also  wampum,  viz.,  Indian  beads,  wch.  serves  for  change.  Pay  as  money,  is  provisions  as  aforesaid, 
one  third  cheaper  than  as  the  Assembly  or  generall  court  sets  it,  and  trust  as  they  and  the  merchant 
agree  for  time.  Now  when  the  buyer  comes  to  ask  for  a  commodity,  sometimes  before  the  mer- 
chant answers  that  he  has  it,  he  sais,  is  your  pay  ready?  Perhaps  the  chap  replies,  yes.  What  do 
you  pay  in?  sais  the  merchant,  .The  buyer  having  answered,  then  the  price  is  set;  as  suppose  he 
wants  a  Qd.  knife,  in  pay  it  is  I2d.,  in  pay  as  money,  8d.,  and  hard  money,  its  own  value,  6d.  It 
seems  a  very  intricate  way  of  traile,  and  what  'Lex  Mercatoria'  liad  not  thought  of." 


i 


The  Cou2:reo:atioual  Cliurcli. 


A    sermon    delivered    in     the     Congregational 
Church  by  Rev.  S.  C.  Leonard,  July  9,  1871). 


He  that  goeth  and  weepeth , 

Bearing  precious  teed, 

Sliall  doubtless  come  again  with  rejoicing. 

Bringing  his  sheaves  with  him. — Psa.  126:  6 


On  tbe  12t,h  day  of  March,  1817,  (a  little 
less  than  59-J  years  ago),  five  meu  had  a 
ineetlug  at  our  village — the  influeuces  of 
which  are  around  us  to-day.  There  was  a 
house  of  worship — old  and  uncomfortable, 
but  a  house  within  which  God  had  been 
honored,  and  where  He  had  recorded  His 
name — standing  on  the  hill  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river,  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that 
the  meeting  was  held  within  it. 

The  five  men  who  had  come  together  from 
different  points  for  this  council  were  well 
able  to  consider  a  matter.  They  composed, 
indeed,  a  more  remarkable  company  than 
they  could  then  have  known  themselves 
to  be. 

One  was  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  W.  Taylor, 
known,  at  that  point  of  time,  as  the  youug 
and  promisiug  pastor  of  the  Center  Church 
in  New  Haven,  31  years  of  age,  ordained  to 
the  work  he  was  then  performing — with 
his  whole  heart  in  it — five  years,  lacking  a 
month,  before.  The  theological  depart- 
ment of  Yale  College,  in  which  he  was  to 
grow  to  the  stature  of  a  giant,  and  do  a 
work,  and  wield  an  influence  which  will 
never  die,  had  not  then  been  opened  for  iu- 
struction.     It  was  opened  in  1822. 

Another  of  the  men  was  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Merwin,  pastor  of  the  North  Church  and 
Society  in  New  Haven.  He  was  a  some- 
what older  man,  and  had  been  in  the  posi- 
tion which  he  was  then  faithfully  and  suc- 
cessfully occupying  for  twelve  years.  It  is 
of  special  personal  interest  to  me  that  his 
coming  here  was  the  very  year  after  he 
had  received  to  membership  in  his  church 
four  sisters,  tenderly  attached  to  each 
other,  one  of  whom  was  my  own  dear 
mother — the  four,  by  this  act,  joining  an- 
other of  their  number  who  had  united  with 
the  same  church  previously  ;  the  names  of 
each  of  the  sisters  awaking  memories  of  a 
happy  childhood  in  my  mind.    They  are  all 


SEYMOUR  A:N^D  VICIN^ITY.  9 

np  higher  now.  It  was  before  I  was  born 
that  they,  together  with  13  others  (one  of 
whom  was  my  father),  united  at  the  early 
spring  communion  season  with  Mr.  Mer- 
win's  church,  and  you  will  not  wonder  that 
the  figures  which  stand  for  that  year  have 
interest  for  me.  Mr.  Merwin  was  the 
pastor  whom  I  loved,  and  from  whom  I 
received  religious  instruction  in  my  child- 
hood. The  first  Sunday  school  I  ever  at- 
tended was  under  his  pastorate.  The  af- 
fectionate pressure  of  his  hand,  one  day 
when  I  was  a  child,  as  he  met  me  at  the 
close  of  a  service,  in  a  season  of  religious 
interest,  I  have  never  lost  the  feeling  of — 
through  the  4.5  years  between — to  this  day. 
He  had  been  told  that  I  was  desiring  to 
become  a  follower  of  Christ,  aud  as  he  took 
my  hand  in  his,  it  seemed  to  me,  that  with- 
out speaking  a  word,  he  condensed  into  the 
loving  pressure  of  his  hand  a  soul  full  of 
interest  in  my  welfare.  I  never  see  his 
name  without  feeling  a  thrill  of  joy. 

Another  of  the  five  men  who  came  to- 
gether for  the  meeting  at  our  village  was 
the  Rev.  Beuuett  Tyler,  then  of  South  Bri- 
tain, pastor  of  the  Congregational  church 
there,  and  at  this  time  34  years  of  age. 
The  Theological  Seminary  at  East  Windsor, 
with  which  his  now  distinguished  name  is 
associated  in  our  thoughts,  was  17  years  in 
the  future,  when  the  South  Britain  pastor 
came  to  the  meeting  at  Humphreysville,  as 
our  village  was  called  then.  Nobody  could 
have  conjectured,  at  that  time,  that  the 
uames  ot  Taylor  aud  Tyler,  so  peaceably 
associated  at  this  meeting  would  ever  come 
to  have  such  relation  to  each  other,  as  they 
did  in  after  years. 

Another  of  the  five  men  was  the  Rev. 
Bela  Kellogg.  Seventeen  years  before 
(class  of  1800)  he  had  been  graduated  at 
Williams  College  and  had  afterwards 
studied  theology  with  the  vigorous  and  fa- 
mous, and  astute  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Franklin,  Mass.,  the  man  who  took  a  sev- 
enty years  course  of  hard  study  and  never 
got  tired  of  it — enjoyed  it  all  the  way 
through  ; — who  never  shunned  a  subject 
because  it  was  difficult,  and  never  hesita- 
ted over  any  results  to  which  his  logic 
brought  him. 


10 


The  remaiuiug  m«Qiber  of  the  party  was 
the  Rev.  Zephaniah  Swift,  wlio  had  then 
been  for  four  years  pastor  of  the  ancient 
church  in  Derby,  a  church  136  years  old, 
when  be  was  called  to  it,  and  when  he 
answered  the  call  by  beginning  a  genuine 
life  work  with  and  for  it— commencing  a 
pastorate  which  was  to  prove  to  be  of  more 
than  a  third  of  a  century  (85  years)  in 
length. 

The  object  of  this  meeting  of  these  men 
at  our  village  was  to  organize  a  church  of 
Christ  here,  if  it  should  seem  to  be  best. 

They  prepared  themselves  for  the  work 
which  they  had  been  called  to  perform  by 
appointing  the  Rev.  Zephaniah  Swift  mod- 
erator, and  Nathaniel  W.  Taylor  scribe. 
When  they  were  ready,  nine  persons  pre- 
sented themselves  before  them,  producing 
letters  of  good  standing  in  other  Churches 
of  Christ,  and  asking  to  be  organized  into 
a  church.  The  nine  persons  were :  Joel 
Beebe  and  wife,  Bradford  Steele  and  wife, 
Ira  Smith  and  wife,  Louis  Holbrook,  Han- 
nah P.  Johnson  and  Sally  Wheeler. 

The  quesliou  was  considered  by  the 
council,  the  church  was  organized,  and 
the  name  by  which  it  was  called  was 

THE  TILLAGE   CHURCH. 

The  vote  which  the  council  left  on  record 
of  the  result  which  they  reached  on  that 
day  is  very  brief,  but  as  distinct  as  it  is 
brief.  These  are  the  words  of  it:  "Voted, 
The  above  named  persons  be  and  are  hereby 
organized  into  a  church  in  this  village. 

This  is  not,  however,  the  earliest  church 
constituted  here.  Twenty-eight  years  be- 
fore this,  on  the  3d  day  of  November,  1789, 
twenty-six  persons  signed  a  certiticate  set- 
ting forth  that  they  had  joined  the  Congre- 
gational society  (evidently  formed  then) 
in  this  part  of  the  town  and  withdrew  from 
the  Congregational  church  in  Derby,  then 
112  years  old,  to  form  a  society  in  this  por- 
tion of  the  town.  I  have  in  my  hand  the 
document  which  lies  at  the  basis  of  the  first 
Church  of  Christ  ever  formed  in  what  is 
now  our  village.  [The  document  is  pub- 
lished at  the  close  of  this  article.] 

A  vigorous  entering  upou  their  new  work 
this  earlier  christian  company  seem  to  have 
had  the  will  and  found  the  way    to  make. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICimTY. 

Few  in  number  though  they  were,  they 
resolutely  procured  a  pastor  and  built  a 
house  of  worship. 

The  house  of  worship  which  was  put  up 
at  this  time  is  of  interest  to  us  as  the  first 
house  of  worship  ever  ei-ected  in  our  village. 
It  was  placed  on  land  which  had  been 
owned  by  Mr.  Isaac  Johnson,  and  where  the 
M.  E.  Church  now  stands.  It  was  built  at 
a  sacrifice;  it  was  built  as  those  who  erect- 
ed it  could  build  it,  with  the  means  which 
they  could  command.  There  was  faith  and 
prayer  mingled  with  the  work,  as  it  went 
forward,  I  have  no  question.  One  who  of- 
ten worshipped  within  it  (Mrs.  Sarah  Jones, 
afterwards  of  Erie,  Pa.,  daughter  of  Brad- 
ford Steele)  wrote  concerning  it  20  years 
ago,  to  her  sister  : 

"I  feel  a  peculiar  interest  in  that  church, 
well  knowing  its  history  from  the  first. 
This  is  not  its  first  struggle.  I  well  remem- 
ber, when  but  a  mere  child,  of  seeing  the 
anguish  of  my  mother's  heart  for  its  de- 
pression. #  *  *  *  'j^ijg  building  was 
where  the  Methodist  church  now  stands. 
I  well  remember  when  it  was  done  off 
(what  doing  off  there  was).  It  was  divided 
off  into  pews.  It  was  neither  lathed  or  plas- 
tered, and  but  poorly  clapboarded.  Many 
times  have  I  brushed  the  snow  oft' the  seats 
before  sitting  down.  Its  exterior  resembled 
a  barn  more  than  a  church.  Still  it  was 
beloved,  and  probably  had  as  true  worship- 
pers in  it  as  those  of  modern  style.  *  *  * 
You,  my  dear  sister,  know,  as  yet,  but  very 
little  of  the  struggles  of  our  ancestors  to 
perpetuate  the  blessings  we  have  enjoyed. "^ 

The  man  who  was  called  by  this  early 
church  to  minister  to  it  the  gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God,  was  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Beach, 
grandfather  of  one  of  our  respected  citizens^ 
Sharon  Y.  Beach.  The  Rev.  Benjamin 
Beach  preached  the  gospel  to  these  earnest 
christian  people  for  about  fifteen  years.  The 
house,  which  was  built  either  for  or  by  him, 
for  a  parsonage,  is  standing  now,  and  is 
the  second  dwelling  east  of  the  present 
house  of  worship  of  the  M.  E.  Church — 
next  the  new  and  tasteful  parsonage  which 
has  been  built  within  the  year  past  by  the 
Methodist  society.  The  building  which 
was  to  be  the  first  pastor's  home  was  ready 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 


11 


for  its  occupauts  very  promptly — within  a 
few  months  after  the  organization  of  the 
little  church  (things  seem  to  have  been 
done  with  a  will  then) — and  Mr.  Beach 
moved  into  it  in  March,  1790,  having 
waited  for  a  time  for  an  opportunity  to 
bring  his  household  goods  from  North 
Haven  on  snow,  which  did  not,  however, 
fall  that  winter,  so  as  to  render  it  possible 
for  him  to  do  so. 

Two  outlines  of  sermons  preached  by  the 
Rev.  Beuj.  Beach  are  before  me.  Time,  you 
see,  has  left  traces  of  its  passage  on  the  old 
manuscripts.  Oue  of  them  was  preached 
in  the  year  1798,  from  Luke,  9:42.  The 
other  is  a  fast  day  s  ermon,  preached  from 
II  Kings,  19:  14—20,  on  the  25th  ot  April, 
1799,  at  the  point  of  time  when  difiScul- 
ties  with  France  were  assuming  a  threat- 
ening, and  even  warlike,  aspect;  difficul- 
ties which  were,  to  the  joy  of  all,  adjusted, 
after  a  single,  or  rather  a  double  naval 
engagement,  in  which  the  French  frigate 
Insurgente,  and  the  American  frigate  Con- 
stellation were  prominent.  The  sermon 
was  preached  a  year  and  five  months  before 
the  treaty,  by  which  peace  was  restored, 
was  concluded,  and  nine  months  before 
the  death  of  Washington.  Of  the  genuine 
patriotism  of  the  writer,  it  leaves  no  room 
for  question.  It  has  the  true  ring  of  the 
words  which  were  spoken  abundantly  from 
our  loyal  Connecticut  pulpits,  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  last  century.  There  is  vigor  of 
thought  indicated  by  these  old  time-worn 
manuscripts ;  there  was  a  live  man  be- 
hind them  once.  They  indicate,  I  judge, 
the  possession,  by  this  first  pastor  of 
our  village,  of  a  good  deal  of  the  power 
of  putting  things  in  a  telling  way.  They 
were,  evidently,  well  adjusted  to  the  time 
to  which  they  belonged,  as  every  sermon 
ought  to  be.  One  of  them  was  preached 
several  times,  and  as  the  marks  on  the 
margin  of  it  show,  once  at  Waterbury. 
The  remains  of  this  first  pastor  of  our  first 
church  lie  in  Milton,  a  parish  of  the  famous 
town  of  Litchfield  ;  famous  not  so  much  for 
its  rocks  and  its  pure  air,  as  for  its  men. 

How  large  the  church  became  within 
these  fifteen  years  of  the  faithful  ministra- 
tions of  its  first  pastor,  I  have   not  been 


able  to  ascertain.  I  fear  there  are  no 
records  of  it  in  existence.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Beach  completed  his  work  here,  and  re- 
moved to  Milton,  in  180.5. 

Then  the  church  was  for  a  time  scatter- 
ed. But  its  members  had  the  heart  to 
worship  God  and  they  went,  some  to  Ox- 
ford, some  to  Great  Hill,  some  to  Bethany, 
as  they  most  conveniently  could.  After  a 
time  the  Rev.  Zephaniah  Swift  became 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Derby,  and,  with  a 
genuine  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the 
church,  preached  for  it  occasionally. 

But  a  new  element  had,  in  the  meantime, 
been  introduced  into  our  village.  It  had 
taken  a  new  name,  and  was  the  scene  of  a 
new  and  busy  life.  One  could  not  have 
told,  at  that  point  of  time,  into  what  promi- 
nence it  might  rise.  That  man  of  emi- 
nence, regarded  as  an  ornament  to  the 
period  in  which  he  lived,  scholar,  historian, 
poet  and  patriot.  Gen.  David  Humphreys, 
had  fixed  upon  this  spot  in  our  valley  to 
work  out  a  noble  idea  which  had  taken 
possession  of  his  mind.  He  had  gained  his 
honors  before  he  established  his  interests 
here.  His  experience  of  life  had  been  very 
varied.  He  had  seen  the  world  in  differ- 
ent phases  of  it ;  had  seen  it,  and  had  help- 
ed to  mould  it.  He  had  been  a  successful 
military  man.  He  had  been  a  personal 
friend  and  associate  of  the  great  Washing- 
ton. He  had  been  intimately  connected 
with  the  brave  and  unfortunate  Kosciusko. 
He  had  been  ambassador  to  two  important 
foreign  courts,  from  which  he  returned, 
bringing  back  to  his  native  land — and  to 
this,  his  native  town — the  "true  golden 
fleece,"  as  the  phrase  is  in  the  inscription 
on  the  shaft  of  granite  which  marks  the 
resting  place  of  his  remains,  in  the  old 
cemetery  in  New  Haven.  He  died  Feb. 
21,  1818.  He  entered  Yale  college  when 
he  was  15  years  old,  only,  and  was  graduated 
when  he  was  19; — (class  of  1771).  He  com- 
menced his  enterprise  here — returning  to 
his  native  valley  from  his  residence  abroad 
— when  he  was  52,  enriched  by  all  his  ex- 
perience, using  his  wealth  freely,  gather- 
ing into  his  plans  all  his  broad  resources, 
and  employing  them  without  stint  or  nar 
rowness.     He  laid   the   foundation   of  his 


12 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICimTY. 


work,  on  the  bank  of  onr  beautiful  river — 
and  at  one  of  the  most  beautiful  points  up- 
on it — in  tbe  year  1804 ;  and  in  1810,  when 
the  new  niauufacturiug  company  was  in- 
corporated, the  village  was  wearinj^  his 
name. 

The  enterprise  which  Gen.  Humphreys 
established  here  was,  for  its  time,  one  to 
be  looked  at  by  tbe  whole  region,  and  it 
carried  the  name  of  our  village  (Humh- 
REYSViLLE;  to  different  and  distant  points; 
uiade  it  familiar  at  onr  nation's  capitol, 
and  honored  by  the  presidents  of  our  re- 
pnblic.  Dr.  Dwight,  the  able  president  of 
Yale  College,  who  was  personally,  (and  I 
think  intimately)  acquainted  with  Gen. 
Humphreys,  says  of  it: 

'•In  Europe  great  complaints  have  been 
made  of  manufacturing  establishments  as 
having  been,  very  commonly,  seats  of  vice 
and  disease.  Gen.  Humphreys  began  this 
with  a  determination  either  to  prevent 
these  evils,  or  if  this  could  not  be  done,  to 
give  up  the  design.  With  regard  to  the 
health  of  the  people  it  is  sufiicient  to  ob- 
serve, that  from  the  year  1804  to  the  year 
1810,  not  an  individual  belonging  to  the 
institution  died,  and  it  is  believed  that 
among  no  other  e(j[nal  number  of  persons 
there  has  been  less  disease.  fDwight's 
Travels,  vol.  Ill,  p.  393.; 

A  journey,  of  which  a  very  graphic  rec- 
ord has  come  down  to  us,  was  made  by 
Pres.  Dwight  across  our  valley  in  the  in- 
terval marked  by  the  establishment  of 
this  manufacturing  institution — in  the  au- 
tumn of  1811.  He  speaks  of  it  with  en- 
thusiasm. He  had  an  eye  for  natural 
beauty,  and  he  found  it  here.  His  words 
are  fairly  aglow  as  he  writes  about  the 
spot  which  lies  a  few  rods  north  of  the  place 
on  which  this  house  stands.     He  says: 

"The  scenery  at  this  spot  is  delightfully 
romantic.  The  fall  is  a  fine  object;  The 
river,  the  buildings  belonging  to  the  insti- 
tution, the  valley,  the  bordering  hills, 
farms  and  houses,  groves  and  forests  united, 
form  a  landscape  in  a  high  degree"  inter- 
esting."    (Travels,  vol.  Ill,  p.  394.J 

Pres.  Dwight  seems  to  have  been  espe- 
cially interested  in  the  m  >ral  aspects  of 
the  manufacturing  enterprise  of  which  he 


gives  a  detailed  and  very  valuable  account, 
established  here  by  Gen.  Humphreys. 

When  Dr.  Dwight  wrote  the  account  of 
this  journey  he  was  near  the  end  of  hi» 
life.  He  died  a  year  and  a  month  earlier 
than  Gen.  Humphreys,  aud  two  mouths 
before  this  church  was  reorganized. 

Of  course,  in  the  year  1817,  when  the 
council  ot  which  Dr.  Taylor  was  scribe  as- 
sembled here,  our  village  was  much  larger 
than  when  the  earlier  church  was  organ- 
ized. With  the  infusi(m  of  new  life  which 
it  had  received,  it  had  gained  a  new  out- 
look. It  had  passed  through  vicissitudes. 
The  war  of  1812  had  aifected  the  manufac- 
turing industries  of  the  place  very  greatly, 
at  first  prosperously  aud  then  adversely. 
But  the  new  Church  of  the  Living  God 
which  was  planted  on  that  March  day  of 
1817,  had  opportunity  broad  enough  of 
bearing  fruit  for  the  Master,  on  our  hill- 
sides and  in  our  valley;  and  it  seems  to 
have  desired  to  improve  it.  The  facts  are 
these:  The  church  was  constituted  on  the 
12th  of  March.  Eighteen  days  later,  on  the 
30th  of  March,  the  Rev.  Zephaniah  Swift, 
of  Derby,  was  present  at  one  of  its  meet- 
ings, and  received  18  others  into  member- 
ship. One  of  the  18  who  united  with  the 
new  church,  on  that  day,  is  living  now,  a 
respected — aud  the  oldest — member  of  our 
church,  and  is  spending  on  this  Sabbath, 
her  86th  birthday,  Mrs.  Dnniel  White. 

Two  months  after  the  church  was  organ- 
ized, the  Rev.  Bela  Kellogg  received  other 
meuibers.  In  the  following  September,  six 
months  after  its  organization,  others  still 
presented  themselves  to  unite  with  it,  so 
that  when  the  church  entered  upon  the 
second  year  of  its  new  existence,  it  had 
within  it — their  names  enrolled  on  its  re- 
cords— between  thirty  and  forty  men  and 
women,  Mho  had  chosen  to  staurl  up  to  de- 
clare themselves  for  Christ,  and  their  read- 
iness to  do  work  for  him.  Thirty-four  men 
aud  women  in  vital  earnest,  can  do  a  great 
deal.  The  christian  age  was  introduced 
with  a  company  which  could  have  been 
counted  more  easily  than  this. 

These  34  disciples  of  Christ,  thus  formed 
into  a  new  church,  so  beginuing  anew  in 
the  christian   work,  wanted  to  dedicate  to 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 


13 


the  Master  a  new  house  of  worship.  So 
they  prayed  to  God,  and  talked  the  matter 
over  with  each  other.  The  result  was  that, 
to  the  M.  E.  societj',  which  had  beeu  pre- 
viouslj'  formed,  the  old  building,  endeared 
to  mauj'  hearts,  was  sold,  Sept.  22,  1818, 
and  the  vigorous  Church  of  the  New  Be- 
ginning, in  due  time,  as  it  could,  built 
for  itself  a  new  bouse,  on  the  spot  over- 
looking the  river,  on  the  eastern  side  of 
it,  where  the  old  Congregational  burying 
ground  is  now.  The  church  began  at  once, 
in  1818,  to  prepare  for  the  work  of  building, 
meeting  for  a  time  in  the  Bell  school- 
house.  The  steeple  was  added  to  complete 
the  edifice  in  1829. 

Of  those  who  ministered  the  gospel  to  the 
church  in  the  honso  of  worship  overlook- 
ing the  river,  some  are  remembered  very 
distinctly  by  individuals  here  to-day.  One 
of  the  earliest  and  most  constant  friends  of 
the  church  seems  to  have  beeu  the  Rev. 
Zephaniah  Swift,  of  Derby.  He  gave  It 
coun.sel ;  he  gave  it  time  ;  he  gave  it  work. 
At  one  period  of  its  early  history  he  was 
placed  at  liberty,  by  vote  of  his  own  church, 
to  preach  for  it  a  fourth  of  the  time,  re- 
ceiving from  it  a  fourth  of  his  salary.  This 
church  owes  much  under  God  to  that  man, 
of  stately  dignity  of  bearing,  but  with  a 
warm  heart  beating  within  him,  good,  and 
true,  and  faithful ;  the  man  who  made  so 
powerful  an  impression  on  at  least  one 
who  came  under  his  inffuence,  as  to  lead 
hira  with  extravagance  of  expression  to 
say,  that  it  would  be  joy  enough  for  him, 
if  he  could  ever  get  to  heaven,  to  meet 
Zephaniah  Swift  there. 

The  Rev.  Bela  Kellogg  was  never  pastor 
of  the  church,  but  ministered  to  it  for  a 
time,  not  far  from  its  beginning. 

The  Rev.  Ephraim  G.  Swift  was  pastor 
of  the  church  from  1825  to  1827.  He  died 
in  August,  1858. 

On  the  11th  day  of  May,  1828,  the  Rev. 
Amos  Pettingil  received  to  membership 
of  the  church  several  individuals,  among 
whom  were  Isaac  Sperry  and  wife,  Albert 
Carrington,  Adaline  and  Emeline  Sperry, 
and  Olive  Merriam.  Of  those  who  united 
with   the  church  while    the   Rev.  Ephraim 


G.  Swift  was  pastor,  one  only  is  a  member 
now,  Mrs.  Henry  P.  Davis. 

The  name  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Thomson 
first  appears  under  date  of  July  20,  1828. 
He  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in 
April,  1830.  His  ministry  within  it  was  of 
about  five  years  in  length.  He  seems  to 
have  labored  faithfully.  I  judge,  from 
what  I  can  gather  from  the  old  records, 
that  ho  had  genuine  love  of  his  work.  It 
seems  as  if  it  were  overflowing  from  his 
pen,  at  times,  as  he  was  making  some  of 
the  entries  which  we  have  in  his  hand- 
writing. From  what  I  hear  about  him  and 
his  family,  from  those  who  were  personally 
acquainted  with  them,  I  should  judge  him 
to  have  been  a  good  man  with  an  excellent 
wife.  He  came  here  from  Dundaff,  Pa. 
He,  too,  has  finished  his  work  on  earth. 
He  died  in  March,  1855.  Of  those  who  uni- 
ted with  the  church  while  the  Rev.  Charles 
Thompson  ministered  to  it,  three  are  mem- 
bers now :  Mrs.  Maria  Holbrook,  Mrs. 
George  Washburn,  and  Mrs.  B.  M.  Durand. 

The  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Rolliu  S.  Stone 
was  also  within  this  period.  His  arrange- 
ment with  the  church  and  society  was  a 
peculiar  one.  He  engaged  to  be  responsible 
for  the  weekly  supply  of  the  pulpit,  with 
the  understanding  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Swift, 
of  Derbj%  should  preach  one  half  tlie  time, 
by  regular  and  stated  exchange,  Mr.  Story 
spending  the  secular  days  of  the  week  at 
New  Haven,  in  the  Theological  Seminary. 
This  arrangement  was  continued  for  fifteen 
months — from  June  2, 1833,  to  Sept.  1, 1834, 
— the  relation  was  then  severed,  according 
to  his  own  record  of  the  matter,  "  in  peace 
and  love." 

The  Rev.  John  E.  Bray  ministered  to  the 
church  for  about  seven  years  and  a  half — 
from  Sept,  18.34,  to  April,  1842.  Of  those 
who  united  with  the  church  within  this 
time,  two  only  are  members  now:  Deacon 
David  Johnson,  and  Mrs.  Sarah  Collins. 

On  the  26th  of  June,  1843,  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam B.  Curtiss  was  called  by  the  church 
to  become  its  pastor.  His  ministry  was  of 
somewhat  over  six  years  in  length.  He 
was  a  man  who  loved  to  work,  and  who 
always  found  work  to  do,  if  it  was  to  be 
found — and  it  always  was,  and  is. 


14 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 


When  the  Rev.  Mr.  Curtiss  entered  upon 
his  ministry  here,  the  house  of  worship  on 
the  other  side  of  the  river  was  not,  by  any 
means,  an  old  one.  Bat  the  fact  had  be- 
come very  apparent  that  it  was  not  cen- 
trally located.  As  business  developed,  the 
village  grew  away  from  it,  instead  of  aronnd 
it,  and  the  company  who  had  chosen  to  be 
called  The  Village  Church  decided  that 
a  new  house  ought  to  be  built.  And  there 
was  enterprise  enough  to  do  it.  It  is  this 
house,  within  which  we  are  now  (one  of 
the  easiest  houses  to  speak  in  I  have  ever 
used — of  proportions  conformed  to  acoustic 
law  as  fully  as  can  be  desired)  which  arose 
out  of  the  energetic  purpose  formed  at  that 
time.  The  20th  day  of  April,  1847,  was 
dedication  day  within  it;  a  day  of  joy  and 
gladness.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Curtiss  remained 
pastor  of  the  church  and  society  for  two 
and  a  half  years  longer — until  Oct.  15, 
1849.  Of  those  who  united  with  the  church 
while  he  ministered  to  it,  six  are  members 
now  :  Wm.  Hull,  Mrs.  Emeline  Bliss,  Mrs. 
Emeline  Steele,  Mrs.  Laura  A.  Culver,  Mrs. 
Esther  Canfield,  and  Chas.  Durand. 

Four  years  and  nine  days  after  this 
house  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of 
God— on  the  29th  day  of  April,  1851  — it 
was  opened  for  the  first  installation  service 
ever  held  within  it.  On  that  day  the  Rev. 
E.  B.  Chamberlain  was  constituted  pastor 
of  the  church  and  society.  The  installation 
sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Har- 
rison of  Bethany.  Mr.  Chamberlain  had 
been  here  for  nearly  a  year  before  this  day. 
The  last  record  to  which  his  name  is  signed, 
as  pastor,  is  under  date  of  March  21,  1852 — 
nearly  a  year  later.  His  request  to  have 
the  pastoral  relation  dissolved  was  based 
on  the  ground  of  ill-health,  and  was  ac- 
ceded to  by  the  church  May  20,  18.52 — two 
and  a  half  years  after  his  name  first  appears 
on  the  records  of  the  church.  Of  those 
who  united  with  the  church  while  he  min- 
istered the  gospel  to  it,  two  are  members 
now  :    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roswell  Kinney. 

The  Rev.  J.  L.  Willard,  now,  and  for 
more  than  twenty  years  past  the  successful 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  in 
Westville,  commenced  his  ministry  here 
Sept.  1,  1852,  and  continued  it  to  May  1, 


1855 — two  years  and  two-thirds.  He  left 
very  warm  friends  here,  and  has  made  very 
warm  friends  elsewhere.  Of  those  who 
united  with  the  church  while  he  minister- 
ed to  it,  two  are  members  now:  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sheldon  C.  Sanford. 

About  this  time  our  village  suffered  the 
loss  of  a  heavy  manufacturing  industry 
which  involved  the  removal  from  the  place 
of  not  far  from  thirty  families  connected 
with  the  congregation.  Other  disasters 
followed.  A  wave  of  financial  embarrass- 
ment swept  over  the  land.  It  was  a  time 
of  dejection  and  discouragement,  and  this 
church  and  society  felt  the  influence  of  it 
keenly. 

On  one  of  these  days,  a  young  man  just 
out  of  college  was  passing  through  onr  vil- 
lage— Henry  D.  Northrop.  He  had  never 
been  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
but  he  had  a  soul  aglow  with  the  love  of 
Christ  —  he  had  something  to  say  for 
Christ,  and  he  could  say  it.  Mr.  Wallace  M. 
Tuttle  was  not  deacon  of  the  church  at 
that  time,  but  he  was  soon  to  become  such, 
and  he  never  did  a  wiser  and  better  thing 
than  when  he  sought  out  the  young  gradu- 
ate of  Amherst  College  and  almost  com- 
pelled him  to  stop  and  work  for  Christ 
here.  It  vvas  the  Lord's  plan.  The  Lord  or- 
dained him  first,  and  man  ordained  him 
afterwards.  No  such  revival  as  the  Lord 
gave  him  to  see  that  winter,  had,  up  to  that 
point  of  time,  been  witnessed,  iu  connec- 
tion with  the  whole  history  of  the  church. 
The  Lord  set  his  own  seal  to  the  work 
faithfully  and  efliciently  performed.  The 
time  which  seemed  so  adverse  proved  to  be  a 
glorious  time  in  which  to  nurture  faith  to- 
wards God.  The  ministry  of  the  Rev.  H.  D. 
Northrop  here  was  commenced  in  August, 
1857,  and  continued  through  the  larger 
part  of  the  year  1853.  Of  those  who  united 
with  the  church  at  that  time,  twelve  are 
members  now  :  Henry  P.  Davis,  Mrs.  Han- 
nah Canfield,  Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Denney,  Mrs. 
Emeline  Ricks,  Mrs.  Fidelia  E.  Holdeu, 
Miss  Sarah  L.  Ormsbee,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Geo. 
E.  Lester,  Mrs.  William  Losee,  Miss  Orilla 
E.  Hurlburt,  Miss  Grace  E.  Botsford  and 
Mrs.  Mary  Worth. 

Tlie  ministrv  of  the  Rev.  E.  C.  Baldwin 


SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY. 


15 


was  of  a  year  iu  length,  from  May,  1859,  to 
May,  ISGO.  The  miuistry  of  the  Rev.  Syl- 
vester Hine  was  of  about  equal  length. 
The  U3init<try  of  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Mills,  Cuow 
professor  in  Marietta  College,  Ohio,)  was  of 
about  two  years  iu  length,  from  1862  to 
1864.  The  ministry  of  the  Rev.  George  A. 
Dickerman  was  of  a  single  year  in  length, 
from  1864  to  1865.  Of  those  who  united 
with  the  church  within  these  years,  seven 
are  members  now  :  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  L. 
Spencer,  Mrs.  Augusta  Lathrop,  Mrs.  H.  A. 
Rider,  Mis.  Lucy  DeWolfe,  Miss  Hnldah 
DeWolfe,  Miss  Harriet  Hotchkiss  and  Mrs. 
Raymond  French. 

On  the  first  day  of  February,  1866,  this 
house  was  opened  for  another  installation 
service.  The  Rev.  A.  J.  Quick  had  accepted 
the  call  of  the  church  and  society,  and  on 
that  day  was  constituted  pastor.  The  Rev. 
J.  L.  Willard,  of  Westville,  preached  the 
installation  sermon,  and  the  installing 
prayer  was  offered  bj'  the  Rev.  C.  S.  Sher- 
man, of  Naugatuck.  Mr.  Quick's  pastorate 
was  a  brief  one.  The  exact  length  of  it  I 
have  been  unable  to  a.scertaiu.  The  facts 
which  I  have  found  are — that  he  was  en- 
gaged as  stated  supply  for  one  year  com- 
mencing April  30,  1865  ;  that  his  name  is 
to  be  found  on  the  records,  for  the  last 
time,  as  moderator  of  the  church,  under 
date  of  April  19,  1867  ;  and  that  he  was 
dismissed  from  membership  on  the  13th  of 
June,  1868;  a  little  less  than  two  and  a 
half  years  after  his  installation.  Of  those 
who  were  received  within  the  time  covered 
bj'  his  miuistry,  ten  are  members  of  the 
church  now:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Swan, 
Mrs.  S.  J.  Castle,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Whit- 
ney, Miss  Francis  Lounsbury,  William  Bell, 
Miss  Catharine  Bell,  Miss  Catharine  C.  Bur- 
well  and  Mrs.  Mary  Lockwood. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  1868,  this  house  was 
opened  for  an  ordination  service.  The 
Rev.  Allen  Clark  was  on  that  day,  ordained 
as  an  evangelist,  by  a  council  called  by 
letters  missive  issued  by  this  church,  to 
which  Mr.  Clark  was  then  ministering. 
The  ordination  sermon  was  preached  by 
Dr.  Churchill,  of  Woodbury,  and  the  or- 
daining prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  C. 
Chamberlain,    of   Oxford.      In  connection 


with  the  miuistry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark, 
another  glorious  revival  of  religion  oc- 
curred. It  is  of  such  recent  date — only 
eight  years  ago — that  there  must  be  many 
very  vivid  recollections  of  it  in  the  minds 
of  many  of  you  who  are  present.  Of  those 
who  united  with  the  church  within  the 
time  covered  by  Mr.  Clark's  ministry, 
twenty  are  members  now  :  Joshua  Kendall, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  F.  Hard,  Miss  Emma 
Lockwood,  Miss  Hattie  M.  Ford,  Mrs. 
James  Richardson,  Mrs.  A.  A.  Harris,  Mrs. 
Frank  H.  Russell,  Mrs.William  T.  Fife,  Mrs. 
Ella  Y.  Reynolds,  Mrs.  E.  A.  Robinson, 
Miss  Hortie  V.  Swift,  Henry  B.  Lockwood, 
Charles  Sherman,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Barr,  Mrs.  F. 
Boeker.  William  B.  Nichols,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Edwin  C.  Segears  and  Mrs.  George  Fowler. 

The  25th  of  November,  1839,  was  another 
ordination  day.  The  Rev.  H.  P.  Collin 
was,  at  that  time  ordained  to  the  work  of. 
an  evangelist,  by  a  council  called  by  this 
church.  The  ordination  sermon  waspreach- 
ed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Adamson,  of  Ansonia, 
and  the  ordaining  prayer  was  offered  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Gray,  of  Derby.  The  scribe  of 
the  council  was  the  Rev.  Robert  C.  Bell. 

I  have  not  beeu  able  to  ascertain  the 
exact  length  of  the  miuistry  of  Mr.  Collin 
here.  His  hand  writinug  appears,  on  the 
records  of  the  church,  for  the  first  time 
at  date  of  July  18,  1869,  and  for  the  last 
time,  as  I  judge,  May  1,  1870.  Of  those 
who  united  with  the  church  within  the 
years  1869  and  1870,  sixteen  are  members 
now  :  Mrs.  Laura  E.  Northrop,  David  Wil- 
liams, Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roswell  C.  Canfield, 
Richard  Evans,  Mrs.  Charles  Bliss,  Mrs.  C. 
J.  Olmstead,  Mrs.  Juliette  B.  Hull,  William 
J.  Barr,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noah  Osborn,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Rufus  Spencer,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  A.  Benedict  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  C. 
I'iersou. 

The  miuistry  of  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Fitch, 
here,  seems  to  have  been  of  from  one  to 
two  years  in  length.  His  name  appears 
on  the  records,  for  the  first  time  under  date 
of  May  7,  1871,  and  for  the  last  time,  in 
his  own  hand  writing,  under  date  of  May 
2S,  1872.  Of  those  who  united  with  the 
church  withiu  this  time,  two  are  members 
now:  Mrs.  Phebe  A.  Hubbell  andT.  B.  Minor 


16 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY, 


The  Rev.  Williaui  J.  Thomson  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  the  church  and  society  on 
the  24th  of  January,  1873.  The  installation 
sermon  was  preached,  and  the  installiug 
prayer  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Willard 
of  Westville.  The  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Thomson  here  was  closed  on  the  27th  of 
October,  1874.  Of  those  who  united  with 
the  church  within  this  period,  sis  are  mem- 
bers now  :  Mrs.  W.  J.  Thomson,  Mrs.  D. 
Simpson,  Miss  Emma  E.  Beach,  Miss  Mar- 
garet Smith,  Mrs.  Benjamin  B.  Thayer  and 
Miss  Libbie  O.  Lockwood. 

The  ministry  which  has  not  yet  termi- 
nated, was  commenced  on  the  15th  of  No- 
vember, 1874.  Of  those  who  have  united 
with  the  church  since  that  date,  all — twen- 
ty-nine in  number  —  are  members  now: 
Mrs.  and  Miss  Leonard,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  An- 
drew Barr,  Mrs.  Isaac  Losee,  Charles 
Sheard,  W.  I.  Warren,  Charles  J.  Reynolds, 
Miss  Jessie  Swan,  Miss  Sarah  S.  Osborn, 
Miss  Mattie  Osborn,  Miss  Eliza  M.  Creel- 
man,  Mrs.  Charlotte  Hayman,  Mr.  and  Mis. 
Robert  A.  Weaver,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Hurlbut, 
Miss  Freddie  Quiering,  Miss  Carrie  L.  Pick- 
hardt.  Miss  Bertha  E.  Johnson,  Miss  Mary 
E.  Spencer,  Miss  Mary  E.  French,  Mrs. 
Annie  E.  Lyman,  Frauk  H.  Wyant,  Walter 
W.  Dorman,  Miss  Ellen  C.  Hard,  Miss 
Lydia  A.  Hard,  Miss  Mary  A.  Hill,  Frank 
A.  Smith  and  Mrs.  Sarah  M.  Lines.  Maj^ 
the  number  be  increased,  and  there  be 
added  to  the  church  a  multitude  of  such 
as  shall  be  saved  ! 

Of  those  who  have  ministered  to  the 
church  as  deacons,  several  have  gone  to 
their  rest.  The  first  deacon  of  the  earliest 
church  was  Mr.  Baldwin  of  Derby.  When 
the  church  was  reorganized  in  1817,  the 
two  chosen  to  this  service  were,  Bradford 
Steele  and  Nehemiah  Botsford.  They  oc- 
cupied the  office  for  almost  all  that  remain- 
ed to  them  of  life.  Deacon  Steele,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1840 — after  nearly  a  quarter  cen- 
tury of  service,  and  a  little  more  than  a 
year  before  his  death — asked  to  be  released 
from  the  performance  of  further  official  du- 
ty, and, because  of  his  age  and  infirmity,  his 
request  was  granted.  Deacon  Botsford  had, 
a  little  before,  made  a  similar  request, 
which  had  beeu  granted  also. 


A  hundred  years  ago  to-day,  Bradford 
Steele  was  a  boy  of  not  quite  fifteen  years 
of  age.  But  there  was  a  dark  war-cloud 
coming  up  into  view.  It  was  seen  from 
our  hill  sides  and  our  valleys  with  very 
great  distinctness.  Many  brave  men  and 
women  looked  upon  it  with  the  calmness  of 
heroic  courage.  Boys  saw  it,  aud  were 
ready  to  take  their  share  in  what  it  involved. 

Bradford  Steele  was  not  quite  sixteen 
when  ho  enlisted  in  the  army  which  repre- 
sented the  cause  of  freedom.  Terrible 
scenes  he  passed  through.  There  was  one 
day  memories  of  which  seemed  to  lie 
gleaming  in  his  mind  through  his  whole 
long  after  life.  It  was  the  22d  day  of  Au- 
gust, 1777.  He  was  taken  prisoner  and 
treated  with  a  cruelty  which  was  merciless, 
his  very  apppearance  becoming  so  changed 
by  what  he  endured,  (and  the  boys  of  that 
time  could  endure  a  good  deal  of  hardship 
without  being  greatly  affected  by  it,)  that 
his  own  father,  when  he  met  him  did  not 
at  first  know  who  he  was.  He  died  in 
peace,  Dec.  23,  1841,  at  the  ripe  age  of  80. 

There  have  been  very  few  firmer  friends 
of  the  church  than  Deacon  Sheldon  Kiuney, 
now  among  those  who  have  gone  before. 
It  was  out  of  a  gift  made  by  him  to  the 
society  that  our  pleasant  and  convenient 
parsonage  has  come.  He  was  a  man,  I 
judge  from  what  I  hear  about  him,  of  a 
clear  head  and  a  large  heart.  He  was  ap- 
pointed deacon  of  the  church  on  the  6th  of 
September,  1840.  The  names  of  those  who 
have  served  as  deacons  for  a  longer  or 
shorter  time  I  have  tried  to  collect  and  ar- 
range in  the  order  in  which  they  have  per- 
formed the  service:  Capt.  Timothy  Bald- 
win, appointed  in  1789  ;  Bradford  Steele 
and  Nehemiah  Botsford,  appointed  in  1817  ; 
Sheldon  Kinney  and  Alfred  Hull,  1840,- 
Andrew  W.  DeForest,  1844;  William  Kin- 
ney, Miles  Culver  and  J.  L.  Spencer,  1853  ; 
W.  M.  Tuttle,  1858;  Charles  Bradley,  date 
of  appointment  not  recorded  ;  David  John- 
son and  Levi  Lounsbury,  1865;  Joshua 
Kendall,  1868. 

A  very  incomplete  idea,  (but  still  one  of 
some  value,)  of  the  religious  influences  ex- 
erted here  within  the  century  of  our  ex- 
istence as  a  nation,  may  be  suggested  by 


SEYMOUR  AND  VIOIMTY 

au  enumeration  of  the  bouses  of  ^Yorsbip 
which  have  been  built. 

What  is  now  Seymour  was,  at  first,  a  part 
of  the  old  "  juristliction  of  New  Haven. '> 
For  a  little  less  than  forty  years  (1639- 
1677)  it  was  a  part  of  Milfortl.  For  a  hun- 
dred and  sixty-three  years  (1677-1850),  it 
was  a  part  of  Dei  by.  For  only  twenty-six 
years  has  it  had  au  existence  as  a  township 
withitspreseutname.  Andthen  weare  wear- 
ing now  our  fourth  local  name — Naukotunk 
(meaning  one  great  tree)  the  first ;  Chuse- 
town,  the  second;  Hiimphreysville,  the 
third;  Seymour,  the  fourth  ;  each  of  the 
names,  but  the  first,  being  personal  in  their 
reference;  elevating  into  prominent  view 
an  individual ;  the  first  name  bringing  iuto 
prominence  an  object  in  nature.  (They  are 
all  gone  now.) 

In  the  township  of  Milford — of  which 
the  land  which  is  now  covered  by  our  vil- 
lege  was  then  a  part — a  Congregational 
church  was  formed  on  the  16th  day  of  Au- 
gust, 1639 — the  year  after  the  beginning 
at  New  Haven,  237  years  ago.  As  the  basis 
of  the  plan  on  which  this  oldest  church 
was  organized,  those  w^ho  were  to  consti- 
tute it  took  the  text  Proverbs  ix,  1 :  "  Wis- 
dom hath  builded  her  house,  she  hath  hewn 
out  her  seven  pillars,"  and  selected  seven 
of  their  number  to  join  together  in  cove- 
nant to  be  the  church,  and  to  be  called  the 
pillars,  to  whom  the  rest  were  afterwards 
added. 

Thirty-seven  years  later,  in  1677,  the 
Congregational  church  in  Derby  was  con- 
stituted. So  it  was  two  centuries  ago, 
lacking  one  year,  that  this  church,  in  what 
then  became  our  town,  was  organized.  It 
was  long  ago  for  this  continent.  It  was 
only  93  years  after  the  death  of  Luther, 
and  it  was  26  years  before  John  Wesley 
was  born,  that  this  ancient  church,  only 
five  miles  away  from  us,  was  formed.  It 
was  after  that  church  had  been  in  exist- 
ence and  doing  its  work  about  a  hundred 
and  thirteeen  years  that  Jesse  Lee,  one  of 
Wesley's  followers,  passed  through,  for  the 
first  time,  the  place  where  it  had  been 
standing  until  it  aad  grown  gray  with  age, 
and  hired  a  bell  man  to  ring  the  people 
out  that  he  might  preach  to  them. 


17 

A  CEXTURY  AGO  TO-DAY,  the  father  of  Gen . 
Humphreys  had  passed  the  middle  of  his 
pastorate,  of  more  than  half  a  century  in 
length.  A  century  ago  to-day,  the  Eev. 
Daniel  Humphrey's  had  been  doing  the 
work  of  a  pastor  of  the  flock  of  Christ, 
five  miles  from  where  we  are,  for  over  forty 
years.  Many  times  had  he  been  over  our 
hills  and  through  our  valleys,  on  errands 
for  the  Master.  A  century  ago  to-day,  his 
son  David,  (whom  he  had  named  after  the 
King  of  Israel,  and  whom  he  hoped  would 
make  something,;  was  a  young  man  24 
years  of  age,  looking  up  into  the  future  to 
see  what  he  could  carve  out  of  it.  Those 
who  were  living  in  this  part  of  the  town — 
when  they  wanted  to  attend  services  of 
public  worship — (and  people  iu  those  days 
expected  to,  and  were  expected  to) — went 
to  what  is  now  Derby,  to  hear  Mr.  Hum- 
phreys— it  was  all  Derby  then.  There  were 
families  here  a  century  ago  who  could  have 
gained  something  by  a  steady  going  to 
meeting,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  they  did  go. 

The  Indian  Sachem  whom  we  know  best 
as  Chuse,  (Joe  Mauwehu,)  was  here  a  cen- 
tury ago,  probably  not  far  from  where  we 
are,  only  across  the  river ;  his  wigwam 
standing  on  the  south  border  of  the  flat, 
west  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  Raymond 
French,  beautifully  set  among  a  grove  of 
white  oaks  there.  (He  may  have  been, 
just  then,  in  the  vicinity  of  where  Dr. 
Stoddard  now  lives.)  A  century  ago  his 
youngest  child — Eunice — was  an  Indian 
girl  14  years  old,  her  father  an  athletic, 
skillful  hunter,  with  some  knowledge  such 
as  civilization  has  to  give,  but  with  the  in- 
stincts of  his  race  strong  within  him.  At 
some  point  of  his  long  life  (he  died  when 
about  80)  he  united  with  the  cbnrch  in 
Derby.  But  even  after  became  to  hope  that 
he  loved  the  Lord,  he  knew  that  he  loved — 
that  which  biteth  like  a  serpent  and  sting- 
eth  like  an  adder. 

The  first  house  of  worship — that  built 
for  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Beach — was  erected 
86  years  ago.  The  frame  of  it  was  proba- 
bly raised  in  the  month  of  April,  1791.  The 
second  house  of  worship  ever  erected  at 
what  is  now  our  village  is  the  pleasant 
and    commodious    one    belonging   to    the 


18 


SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY. 


Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  The  Epis- 
copal Society  was  organized  Feb.  20,  1797. 
This  house  was  originally  built  by  two 
societies  in  union,  but  has  been  recon- 
structed at  heavy  expense,  by  the  society 
owning  it  now,  in^^o  its  present  attractive 
form.  The  third  house  of  worship  erected 
at  our  village  was  the  second  Congrega- 
tional house,  buit  on  the  hill  overlooking 
the  river.  This  was  commenced — or  prep- 
aration was  begun  for  it  —  in  1818.  The 
fourth  is  this  house  in  which  we  are — the 
third  Congregational  house — built  in  1846. 
The  lifth  is  the  house  owned  by  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church.  The  corner  stone  of 
this  editice  was  laid  on  Saturday,  June 
19,  1847.  Tiie  sixth  is  the  house  built  by 
the  Baptist  Church.  The  church  was  or- 
ganized in  1848,  and  the  house  was  erected 
in  1851.  The  house  built  by  the  congrega- 
tion connected  with  the  church  of  Eome, 
is  of  more  recent  date. 

So  there  have  been  three  years,  not  far 
apart,  of  the  life  of  our  village,  which  have 
been,  characteristically  church -building 
years.  This  temple-building  work  is  of 
itself,  on  the  surface,  I  know,  but  it  tra- 
ces away  to  something  which  lies  deep 
down  in  human  hearts  —  interest  in  the 
things  of  God's  worship.  It  has  sslf-deuial 
underlying  it — and  mixed  with  it.  There 
is  prayer  and  faith  back  of  it  and  below  it. 
There  has  been  a  life  lived  within  our  vil- 
lage, invisible  of  itself,  but  which  has 
come  to  view  in  these  results.  It  has  been 
quietly  lived  by  many.  It  has  been  a  bless- 
ing to  us. 

Within  these  sanctuaries  which  have 
arisen  from  the  impulses  and  purposes  of 
this  life,  (God  aiding  and  blessing,)  the 
gospel  of  our  salvation  has  been  preached, 
with  earnestness  and  success.  The  health- 
ful inHuences  exerted  by  these  difterent 
churches,  through  these  86  years  of  time 
past,  has  been,  to  our  village,  an  advantage 
which  cannot  be  estimated.  These  influ- 
euees  penetrate,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent, 
business  and  social  life,  encouraging  integ- 
rity, and  honesty,  and  honor,  and  discour- 
aging evil.  The  more  vigorous  these  church- 
es of  our  village  are,  the  better  will  be  the 
village,    as  a  place  to  have  a   home  in — a 


place  in  which  to  spend,  pleasantly  and  use- 
fully, these  days  which  bear  us  along  to 
the  end.  Our  days  are  all  journey  days — 
daj's  of  travel  along  our  life-way. 

These  churches  of  Christ  have  been 
schools  of  the  Master,  from  which  a  great 
many  have  been  graduated  and  called  up. 
These  houses  of  worship  have  been  centers 
from  which  have  radiated  invisible  tenden- 
cies toward  what  is  good  and  true — forces 
stiraultive  of  elevating  thought  and  feel- 
ing and  action. 

A  church  becomes  localized,  as  it  builds 
a  house  of  worship  around  itself.  It  gains 
for  itself  a  religious  home.  Then  the  home 
feeling  has  opportunity  to  act  and  react 
withiu  the  religious  nature.  A  church  is 
not  infrequently  moulded,  to  an  extent — 
its  daily  and  weekly  life  materially  affected 
— by  the  house  which  belongs  to  it,  and  to 
which  it  belongs;  not  as  it  belongs  to 
Christ,  but  as  it  can  belong  to  earthly 
things. 

The  whole  history  of  this  church,  taken 
in  connection  with  the  church  out  of  which 
it  came,  most  naturally  divides  itself  into 
three  periods,  marked  by  the  erection  of  its 
three  different  houses  of  worship. 

The  first  period  of  27  years  in  length, 
from  the  beginning  in  1789  to  the  assem- 
bling of  the  Council  of  Five  in  1817.  This 
is  the  pioneer  period,  the  period  of  struggle 
for  the  necessities  of  religious  life.  Of  the 
church,  as  it  lived  through  this  period,  we 
knew  something,  but  much  less  than  we 
should  be  glad  to  know.  The  27  years  of 
meeting  within  that  house  hadsunshine  and 
shadow  within  them,  as  years  have  now. 
There  was  trial  bravelj'  borne,  and,  proba- 
bly, trial  not  bravely  borne.  They  were 
years  with  days  of  ^^eeping  and  days  of 
rejoicing  within  them.  The  26  men  whose 
names  are  on  this  old  paper — discolored  by 
these  80  years  and  more  through  which  it 
has  come  down  to  us — represented  families, 
households,  with  young  and  old  in  them, 
and  into  which  joy  and  sorrow  came,  as  it 
comes  into  our  dwellings  now. 

This  earliest  church  gathers  itself  most 
naturally,  in  our  thoughts,  around  t*he  man 
who  waS;  for  15  years  its  pastor;  a  man 
who  honored  God  and  sought  to  aid  man  to 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 


19 


find  God  ;  a  man  ready  to  do  whatever  his 
Lands  found  to  do,  and  whose  hands,  both 
of  them,  did  find  enough  do. 

The  church,  in  this  earliest  period  of  its 
history,  is  sometimes  spoken  of  as  one  of 
what  were  called  the  "separate"  churches 
of  the  time. 

The  great  awakening  of  1740 — of  the 
time  of  Whitfield,  and  Edwards,  and  Bel- 
lamy— enkindled  new  zeal,  and  desire  of 
larger  liberty  than  the  relation  which  then 
existed  between  the  church  and  state  al- 
lowed, and  a  number  of  churches  arose  as 
the  result  of  this  feeling,  which  were  known 
as  "separate"  churches;  some  of  them  com- 
posed of  the  better  elements,  and  some  of 
the  discordant  ones.  I  do  not.  however, 
find  this  church  in  any  list  which  has  come 
to  my  knowledge  thus  far,  of  these  churches. 
The  fact  that  it  was  Congregational,  and 
known  as  such,  is  not  decisive,  for  the 
separate  churches — some  of  them — claimed 
to  be  more  truly  Congregational  than  any 
others.  The  single  fact  which  I  do  find, 
relating  to  the  matter  is  that  its  first  and 
only  permanent  pastor  had  been,  before  he 
came  here,  minister  of  a  separate  church 
in  Prospect.  I  have  found  evidence  enough 
that  this  early  church  was  an  earnest 
church.  There  was  human  nature  in  it, 
nnquestionablj-.  We  find  scars  of  misun- 
derstanding and  difficulty  as  we  trace  out 
its  history;  but  this  is  not  so  strange  a 
thing  in  churches  of  other  times  as  I  wish 
it  was.  After  all  the  labor  which  I  have 
given  to  the  gathering  of  every  item  of  in- 
formation coucerning  it  which  I  could  find, 
in  any  quarter,  I  think  of  it  as  a  praying, 
seif-denying,  earnest,  energetic  church  of 
Christ;  adjusted  to  its  time,  of  course,  as 
it  needed  to  be  in  order  to  be  most  useful; 
but  loving  and  serving  the  Master,  and 
obeying  God  rather  than  man.  I  look  back 
upon  that  first  church  of  our  place  with  a 
great  deal  of  interest. 

The  second  period  is  of  29  years  in 
length  ;  from  the  meeting  of  the  Council 
of  Five  in  1817,  to  the  dedication  of  this 
house  in  which  we  are  assembled.  This  is 
the  period  of  quiet,  steady  work  and  pro- 
gress. The  men  whom  we  see  ministering 
to  it — going  in  and  out  of  its   house   of 


worship,  and  of  the  dwellings  of  those  who 
composed  its  congregation  — sharing  joys 
and  sorrows  with  them — the  Kev.  Zepha- 
uiah  Swift,  the  Rev.  Bela  Kellogg,  the  Rev. 
Ephraim  G.  Swift,  the  Rev.  Charles  Thomp- 
son, the  Rev.  Rollin  S.  Stone,  the  Rev. 
John  E.  Bray  and  the  Rev.  William  B. 
Curtiss — form  a  company  whom  it  is  an 
honor  to  the  church  to  have  had  within  it. 
Among  the  laymen  who  come  into  promi- 
nent view,  within  this  period  —  [among 
those  who  have  gone  home;  of  the  living  I 
will  not  speak]  are  Bradford  Steele,  Nehe- 
miah  Botsford,  Sheldon  Kinney,  Alfred 
Hull,  Ira  Smith  and  Daniel  White.  Miles 
Culver,  energetic,  self  denying,  generous, 
prompt,  serving  the  Master  and  loving  to 
do  it,  and  continuing  to  do  it  to  the  end, 
united  with  the  church  Jan.  5th,  1845,  not 
far  from  the  time  when  this  house  was 
built. 

The  third  period  is,  up  to  this  point  of 
time,  of  just  30  years  in  length,  bat  open 
for  more  to  follow,  of  work  for  Christ,  and 
of  blessings  coming — to  the  worker  in  the 
doing  of  the  w^ork,  and  to  others  through 
the  work. 

The  merest  sketch  of  the  history  of  this 
church  could  not  be,  in  anywise,  complete, 
if  it  failed  to  include  some  notice  of  its 
vigorous  Sunday  School,  which  has  had 
life  within  it  which  has  helped  itself,  and 
other  good  things  around  it. 

The  Sunday  School  can  be  traced  back  to 
the  year  1828.  The  names  of  those  who 
have  been  superintendents  of  it,  so  far  as 
they  can  be  collected,  are:  Joel  White, 
George  F.  DeForest,  Andrew  DeForest, 
Sharon  Y.  Beach,  W.  M.Tuttle,  P.  B.  Buck- 
ingham, George  E.  Lester,  Robert  C.  Bell, 
Theodore  S.  Ladd,  Andrew  Y.  Beach  and 
James  Swan.  The  present  number  of  names 
on  its  roll  is  222. 

But  it  has  what  is  better  than  mere  mem- 
bers— vitality — vigor.  The  weekly  teach- 
ers' meeting  is  a  very  live  meeting  ;  I  never 
saw  anybody  asleep  in  that  meeting;  and 
teachers  awake  cannot  easily  help  having 
a  school  awake.  Both  the  school  and  the 
teachers'  meeting  breathe  a  little  heavily 
just  now,  as  we  are  suffering  this  excessive 
heat,  but  it  is  exhaustion  only,  not  sleep. 


20 


lu  the  revival  of  last  winter  almost  all 
who  came  to  Christ  came  from  and  through 
our  Sunday  School. 

The  superintendent  is  now  an  officer  of 
the  church,  elected  annually  by  ballot. 
This  plan  was  adopted  about  four  years 
ago,  (May  23,  1872.)  Up  to  that  time  no 
minute  appears  on  the  records  of  thecliurch 
of  the  uames  of  the  officers  of  the  Sunday 
School.  Now  they  are  put  on  distinct  rec- 
ord every  year. 

There  is  one  fact  belonging  to  the  origin 
of  the  church  iu  its  later  form,  which  I 
have  picked  out  of  the  old  record  with  a 
good  deal  of  interest.  In  less  than  two 
mouths  after  the  church  was  organized, 
and  when  its  first  deacons  were  chosen,  (at 
a  meeting  held  May  9,  1817,)  a  librarian 
for  the  Village  Church  Library  was  ap- 
pointed. A  committee  of  three  also  re- 
ceived appointment  as  a  "  Committee  of 
Selection;"  their  duty  evidently  uuder- 
stooc\  to  be  to  select  books  for  this  library. 
Now  to  select  books  for  a  library  involves 
money,  furnished  by  somebody ;  and  that 
three  men  were  needed  on  this  commit- 
tee seems  to  indicate  that  there  was 
something  important  for  them  to  do.  Now 
to  do  anything  important  in  the  way  of 
selecting  books,  involves  and  implies  a 
good  deal,  and  more  then  than  now. 

I  suppose  this  could  not  have  been  a 
Sunday-school  library  ;  if  it  was,  the  Sun- 
day school  originated  a  good  deal  earlier 
than  the  date  which  I  have  given.  The 
library  is  called  a  church  library.  In  either 
case  the  book  power  was  recognized  by  the 
young  church,  and  it  was  determined  to 
make  use  of  it.  What  a  marvelous  power 
has  it  become  since  that  time  ! 

This  church  has  raised  up,  for  service  in 
the  great  lield  of  christian  labor,  one  min- 
ister and  one  missionary.  The  minster  is 
the  Kev.  Ira  Smith  ;  and  the  missionary  is 
the  Rev.  H.  A.  DeForest  [class  of  1832, 
Yale],  who  went  to  Syria,  returned  with 
the  seeds  of  fatal  disease  in  his  system,  and 
so  ended  his  work  on  earth.  I  am  glad  to 
find  that  a  missionary  to  that  old  land  has 
had  any  connection  with  us.    I  am  not  quite 


SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY. 

certain  what  the  connection  was.  I  take 
the  fact,  as  I  have  stated  it,  on  trust,  not 
having  had  opportunity  to  verify  it.  I  have 
searched  the  old  records  for  his  name  but 
have  not,  thus  far,  succeeded  iu  finding  it. 
I  shall  trace  out  the  matter  as  fully  as  I 
can.  It  is  certainlj'  a  benefit  to  us  to  have 
such  a  point  of  contact  with  the  great  mis- 
sionary enterprise.  To  follow  a  missionary 
of  the  cross,  who  is  a  personal  acquaintance, 
with  prayer,  and  interest,  and  faith,  is  in- 
vigorating to  the  heart  which  does  it,  and 
is  honorable  to  God,  whose  service  the 
work  is. 

The  Rev.  Robert  C.  Bell,  now  the  efficient 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  iu 
Darien,  in  this  state,  was,  for  a  time,  be- 
fore his  entrance  npon  his  ministry,  a  mem- 
ber of  this  church,  and  comes  here  to  the 
family  home.  His  name  belongs  to  our 
history. 


I  designed  to  say  more  about  the  rivivals 
which  have  occurred  within  the  church, 
noticing  not  only  its  larger  ingatherings, 
but  also  its  other  harvests.  It  ought  to  be 
characterized  by  them  to  be  true  to  its  ori- 
gin, for  the  church  in  its  later  form  was 
born  in  a  revival.  In  the  record  left  by 
the  Council  of  Five,  of  the  work  which  they 
performed  on  that  12th  of  March,  1817, 
they  say : — "  The  meeting  proceeded  to  con- 
sider this  application,  and  the  state  of  this 
village,  especially  the  increase  of  godly 
people  in  ilie  present  revival  of  religion,  and 
are  of  the  opinion  that  a  compliance  with 
the  above  request  may  conduce  to  the  pros- 
perity of  Zion." 

I  desired  also  to,  at  least,  mention  some 
of  the  lessons  to  be  gathered  from  the  facts 
which  I  have  presented  to  yon.  But  I  will 
not.  You  are  weary,  and  you  can  do  this 
work  for  yourselves.  I  will  only  express 
the  wish,  which  I  find  so  distinctly  in  my 
heart  that  I  cannot  deny  it  some  utterance, 
that  this  church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
may  be  ever  true  to  the  Master,  earnest  in 
the  doing  of  his  work,  and  receive  of  his 
blessing  till  it  shall  overflow.  It  has  a  Past. 
May  it  have  a  Future  ! 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  21 

FIRST  ORGANIZATION 

OF  THE 

CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH, 
IIV    IT^SO. 

The  following  is  a  literal  copy  of  an  old  MS.,  fixing  the  date  of  the  forma- 
tion of  the  first  ecclesiastical  society  in  Seymour  : 

Derby,  November  3d,  A.  D.,  1789. 
This  may  sertify  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that  the  subscribers  have  joined 
and  paid  towards  the  support  of  the  Gospel  at  the  Congregational  Society,  in 
Derby,  near  Bladen  Brook,  and  mean  for  the  future  to  support  the  Gospel 
there  : 

Capt.  Timothy  Baldwin, 

Asahel  Johnson, 

Gideon  Johnson, 

Capt.  Bradford  Steel, 

Elisha  Steel, 

Isaac  Baldwin, 

Ebr.  Turel  Whitmore, 

Amos  Hine, 

Bradford  Steel,  Jr., 

Medad  Keney, 

Hezekiah  Wodin, 

John  A  dye, 

Ashbel  Loveland, 

Truman  Loveland, 

Ebenezer  Warner, 

Leveret  Pritchard, 

Levi  Tomlinson, 

John  Coe, 

Ebenezer  Beadier  Johnson, 

Nathan  Wheler, 

Bezalel  Peck, 

Frances  Forque, 

Joseph  Loines, 

Moses  Clark, 

Philo  Hinman, 

Thomas  Hotchkis. 

Sertifyed  by  me,        Levi  Tomlinson, 

Society  Clerk. 


HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


23 


COINS  OF  THE  0LDE:N^  TIME. 


PINE   TREE   SHILLING. 


One  of  the  most  interesting  of  the  early  coins  is  the  variety  known  as 
the  "Pine  Tree  Shilling,"  once  known  as  the  Boston  or  Bay  Shillings,  which 
was  issued  at  intervals  for  more  than  twenty-five  years,  though  these  coins 
all  bear  the  original  date,  1652. 


GRANBY   COPPER. 


The  earliest  Connecticut  com  of  which  we  have  any  record  is  the  Granby 
Copper,  issued  in  1737,  by  a  Mr.  Higley  of  Granby  and  made  of  copper  from 
Copper  Hill,  afterward  the  seat  of  the  famous  Newgate  Prison.  Within  the 
exergue  of  the  reverse  are  tliree  sledge  hammers  crowned.  Another  variety 
with  a  similar  obverse  bears  on  the  reverse  the  head  of  an  ox,  with  the  legend, 
1^1.  CUT.  MY.  WAY.  THROUGH.  As  these  pieces  were  only  private 
tokens  and  their  issue  quite  limited,  specimens  are  now  rare  and  highly  valued. 


24 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


CONNECTICUT   CENT. 


Tlie  above,  issued  by  authority  of  the  colony  of  Counecticut,  (Auctori 
Coniiec,)  were  struck  only  four  years,  viz:  1785-8,  tiie  further  issue  of  money 
by  the  colonies  being  then  prohibited  by  Congress.  The  motto,  "Inde  et 
Lib.,"  (Independence  and  Liberty.)  was  full  of  significence  to  the  colonists, 
after  the  long  war  for  liberty  and  independence  in  which  they  had  suffered  so 
much.  Of  the  cents  issued  in  these  four  years  there  are  extant  nearly  a 
hundred  types,  distinguished  by  the  bust  of  Liberty  facing  right  or  left,  by 
the  misspelling  of  the  word  AUCTORI,  as  AUCTOPI,  AUCTOBI,  AUCTOBE  and 
<AUCiON,  by  variations  in  the  punctuation,  by  correct  obverses  with  a  variety 
of  reverses,  &c.  The  cents  of  1787  are  the  most  common,  and  the  varieties 
of  this  date  the  most  numerous. 


SEYIVIOUR  AND  VICIOTTY. 


TRINITY  CHURCH. 

PROTESTANT   EPISCOPAL. 

At  the  request  of  Theophilos  Miles,  Jona- 
than Miles,  and  Benjamin  Davis,  a  warrant 
was  issued  by  Levi  Tomlinson,  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  New  Haven  County,  directed 
to  Benjamin  Davis,  an  indifferent  person, 
requesting' him  to  give  notice  to  all  the 
inhabitants  professing  the  religion  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  residing  with- 
in certain  prescribed  limits,  to  meet  at  the 
house  of  Dr.  Samuel  Sanford,  ou  the  20th 
day  of  Feb.,  1797  ;  then  and  there  to  form 
au  Episcopal  Ecclesiastical  Society. 

This  warrant  was  dated  Feb.  12th,  1797, 
and  was  served  on  thirty-nine  persons,  viz  : 
Reuben  Lum,  James  Manville,  Nathan 
Mansfield,  William  Tuci<er,  Benjamin  Haw- 
ley,  Russell  Tomlinson,  Martin  Beebe,Enos 
G.  Nettleton,  Ephraim  Wooster,  Nathaniel 
Holbrook,  Jeremiah  Gillette,  Josiah  Net- 
tleton, Philo  Holbrook,  Edward  Hayes, 
Nathan  Stiles,  Wilson  Hurd,  William 
Church,  Abel  Church,  John  Grilifin,  Daniel 
Davis,  Bowers  Washbaud,  Alexander  John- 
son, Timothy  Johnson,  Joseph  Johnson, 
Charles  French,  Israel  Bostwick,  Moses 
Riggs  and  John  White.  The  persons  met 
at  the  time  and  place  named  in  the  warn- 
ing, (the  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  Henry 
Wheeler),  when  Benjamin  Davis  was  ap- 
pointed moderator,  Samuel  Sanford  clerk, 
aud  Joel  Chatfield,  Israel  French  and 
Jonathan  Miles  Society.'s  Committee.  As 
there  had  been  a  union  of  the  Parish  of 
Great  Hill  with  the  Episcopalians  of  the 
new  Parish  it  was  concluded  to  call  the 
new  organization  Union  Church. 

Beyond  the  organization  of  the  Society  no 
other  business  appears  to  have  been  trans- 
acted at  this  time,  and  the  meeting  adjourn- 
ed to  meet  at  the  same  place  at  the  end  of 
the  week,  Feb.  27th.  At  this  meeting  they 
began  in  earnest  to  lay  the  foundation  of 
a  house  for  the  Lord ;  and  Benjamin  Davis, 
Edward  Hayes,  Nathaniel  Johnson  aud 
John  White  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  furnish  materials  for  the  building  of  the 
Church.  The  land  upon  which  the  Church 
stands  was  purchased  of  Loverett  Pritch- 


25 

23rd,  1797.  The  committee  to  whom  was 
intrusted  the  provision  of  funds  and  ma- 
terials for  a  church  building  immediately 
commenced  their  labors,  and  if  their  ener- 
gy be  judged  by  their  success  they  are 
entitled  to  the  award  of  industry  and  per- 
severance. Early  in  the  spring  the  corner 
stone  was  laid  by  the  Rev.  Edward  Blakes- 
lee,  then  an  assistant  to  Rev.  Dr.  Mansfield 
of  Derby;  during  the  summer  the  build- 
ing was  raised  and  before  winter  entirely 
enclosed.  After  the  building  had  been  in- 
closed the  committee  found  the  funds  at 
their  disposal  exhausted,  aud  not  willing 
to  involve  the  Society  in  debt,  concluded 
to  suspend  their  work,  and  the  finishing  of 
the  building  was  reserved  for  a  later  day. 
Seats  were  however  provided,  benches 
made  of  slabs.  To  accomplish  this  much 
great  sacrifices  were  made  ;  for  their  num- 
ber was  not  only  small  and  limited  in  their 
worldly  means,  but  they  also  had  to  con- 
tend against  what  was  termed  the  "estab- 
lished order,"  viz  :  against  the  Presbyterian 
influence  which  had  at  that  time  complete 
power  iu  the  state,  and  which  regarded 
every  such  effort  as  a  direct  attack  upon 
itself. 

Of  this  Church  Dr.  Richard  Mansfield 
was  the  first  pastor,and  for  his  support  the  So- 
ciety voted  to  pay  him  3  pence  on  the  pound 
ou  the  grand  list  of  1797.  He  was  at  this 
time  rector  of  the  Church  in  Derby.  This 
connection  between  the  two  parishes  does  not 
appear  to  have  been  harmonious  ;  for  early 
in  the  year  1800,  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed to  devise  some  means  for  uniting  Derby 
and  this  Society  under  one  pastoral  charge. 
How  long  Dr.  Mansfield  continued  iu  the 
rectorship  of  the  Parish  can  not  be  cor- 
rectly ascertained  ;  but  probably  not  longer 
than  1802;  for  in  that  year  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  employ  a  clergyman  for 
one  quarter  of  his  time.  But  as  he  had 
been  settled  for  life,  this  Society  assisted 
in  supporting  Dr.  Mansfield  after  his  pas- 
toral connection  had  terminated,  and  con- 
tinued to  do  so  for  eighteen  years,  until 
the  time  of  his  death  in  the  year  1820. 
Jonathan  Miles  was  appointed  the  first 
delegate  to  the  Convention  of  this  Diocese. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  13th  annual  con- 


I 


ard,  and  cost  JGO  ;  the  deed  is  dated  March    veution,  held  in  the  year  1798 


26 


SEYMOUE  AIs^D  VICI:MTY. 


In  the  year  1802  the  Union  Bank  was  es- 
tablished, out  of  which  a  fund  was  to  be 
raised  for  the  support  of  the  ministry.  Of 
this  bank  Abijah  Hull  was  treasurer.  The 
amount  of  subscriptions  was  about  .$2,000, 
by  fifty-seven  persons.  Tbis  bank  during 
its  existence  proved  a  bone  of  contention, 
and  in  1811  action  was  taken  for  its  disso- 
lution, and  subsequently  the  notes  and 
money  which  constituted  the  bank  wei*e 
returned  to  the  original  proprietors,  they 
paying  interest  on  the  same  up  to  the  year 
1808.  After  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Mansfield 
in  1802,  the  church  remained  for  a  year  unsup- 
plied.  In  1803  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  confer  with  committees  from  Oxford  and 
Derby,  in  relation  to  employing  a  clergy- 
man with  power  to  agree  with  Derby  and 
Oxford  for  one  year,  or  to  make  proposals 
to  the  other  committees,  or  either  of  them, 
to  confer  with  a  clergyman  for  a  settlement 
and  get  his  proposals,  and  report  the  same 
to  a  subsequent  meeting.  The  clergyman 
about  whom  they  were  to  confer  was  Rev. 
Samuel  Griswold.  These  conferences  were 
unsuccessful. 

The  next  year  they  succeed  in  settling 
the  Rev.  Solomon  Blakeslee;  and  yet  he 
only  remained  three  months,  when  the  ser- 
vices of  the  Rev.  Calvin  White  was  secured 
for  six  mouths,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  removed.  In  1805  the  Rev.  Ammi  Rodg- 
ers  was  engaged  for  one-third  of  his  time 
for  three  months.  At  the  expiration  of 
three  months  tbe  engagement  was  renew- 
ed and  a  resolution  expressing  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  Society  with  his  services  was 
adopted.  This  resolution  was  probably  of 
his  own  proposal,  and  designed  to  varnish  a 
character  deeply  stained  with  guilt.  The 
Society  subsequently  became  convinced  of 
the  charges  made  against  him  and  he  was 
dismissed,  how  long  he  continued  in  the 
Rectorship  is  not  certainly  known,  but 
probablynot  more  than  one  year;  for  in 
1807  the  services  of  the  Rev.  Ambrose  Todd 
were  secured  for  one-third  of  his  time  for 
one  year.  Who  succeeded  Rev.  Mr.  Todd 
the  records  do  not  show;  but  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Blakeslee  was  again  rector  in  1810,  in 
which  he  continued  nearly  three  years. 

In  1812  an  etiort  was  made  to  unite  this 
church   and   Oxford    under    one    pastoral 


charge,  but  it  failed.  In  1813  the  Rev. 
James  Thompson  became  Rector,  but  he  only 
remained  one  year.  In  1814  the  Rev.  Mr. 
White  was  again  employed.  Like  Mr. 
Thompson  his  connection  with  the  parish 
was  of  short  duration,and  the  followingyear, 
1815,  we  find  the  Rev.  Chauncy  Prindle, 
Rector.  In  1813  the  Parish  paid  an  assess- 
ment of  $60  towards  establishing  a  fund 
for  the  supportof  the  Bishop. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Parish,  Jan.  29,  1816, 
measures  were  taken  to  complete  the 
church,  which  up  to  this  time  had  remained 
in  an  unfinished  state.  Abraham  English, 
Josiah  Nettleton,Theophilos  Miles,  Nathan- 
iel Johnson  and  Josiah  Swift  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  obtain  subscriptions  to- 
wards this  object;  and  in  March  of  the 
same  year  they  were  authorized  to  expend 
the  money  thus  raised.  The  amount  sub- 
scribed was  $1250,  contributed  by  sixty- 
three  persons.  The  Church  when  finished 
was  consecrated  Sept.  2nd,  1817,  by  the 
Right  Reverend  John  Henry  Hobart,  D.  D., 
Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  New  York.  After 
the  consecration  of  the  Church  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Thompson  again  became  the  Rector 
and  continued  in  that  connection  until 
1819,  when  the  Rev.  Aaron  Humphreys  was 
elected. 

In  1818  we  find  for  the  first  time  some- 
thing of  the  condition  of  the  Parish,  so  far 
as  its  strength  was  concerned,  viz:  number 
of  communicants,  45;  number  of  families, 
63;  number  of  persons,  279 ;  grand  levy, 
$7,420.95.  In  1819  the  Parish  was  drawn 
into  a  law  snit  by  its  first  Rector,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Mansfield.  The  Parish  became  remiss 
in  paying  its  portion  for  his  support,  and 
to  quicken  its  energies  this  suit  was 
brought.  The  Dr.  gained  his  cause  and 
the  Parish  was  compelled  to  pay  up  all 
arrearages.  The  death  of  the  Dr.,  April 
11th,  1820,  aged  96  years,  relieved  the  Par- 
ish from  this  onerous  charge.  In  1821  a 
new  roof  was  placed  on  the  church  at  a 
cost  of  $60.  In  1822  the  slips  were  first 
rented  at  public  sale,  the  proceeds  of  the 
sale  amounting  to  $146.40.  Up  to  this 
time  the  salary  had  been  raised  by  a  tax 
on  the  grand  list.  In  the  evening  of  the 
1st  of  June   of  this  year,   1822,  the  steeple 


SEYMOUR  Al^D  VICIMTY. 


27 


of  the  church  was  struck  by  lightning;  to 
repair  the  injury  $182.88  was  raised  and 
$182.84  expended.  In  1822  the  Rev.  Stephen 
Jewett  became  Rector  of  the  Parish,  and 
the  following  year  made  this  report :  num- 
ber of  communicants,  .50;  baptisms,  2;  mar- 
riages, 4;  funerals,  5;  families,  55.  Mr. 
Jewett  coutinued  iu  the  Rectorship  eleven 
years ;  and  during  his  ministry  there  were 
baptised  127  infants  and  eighty  adults;  51 
marriages  were  solemnized  and  88  persons 
were  buried.  In  1827  the  Sunday  School 
School  was  started,  and  *'the  Society's 
committee  were  appointed  to  superintend 
and  regulate  its  affairs  and  procure  such 
books  as  were  required." 

In  the  next  year  the  bell  was  procured 
at  a  cost  of  $256.19.  It  was  first  used  Aug. 
12th,  1828,  to  toll  the  death  of  a  sou  of  Mr. 
John  S.  Moshier.  In  the  summer  of  the 
same  year  a  sum  was  raised  by  subscrip- 
tions for  the  purpose  of  painting  the 
church  and  feucing  the  burying  ground, 
amounting  to  $251,  all  of  which  was  done 
at  an  expense  of  $247.  In  the  same  year 
Mr.  Isaac  Kinney  presented  the  Parish  with 
a  stove.  Before  this  time  the  church  had 
not  been  warmed.  The  first  organ  was 
placed  in  the  church  about  the  year  1831. 
It  was  built  by  Mr.  Whiting  of  New  Haven, 
and  in  1850  was  enlarged  and  improved  by 
Mr.  Jardiue  of  New  York,  at  an  expense  of 


After  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Jewett  in  1832,  the  Rev.  Charles  W.  Brad- 
lew  became  Rector  of  the  Parish  and  re- 
mained in  that  connection  one  year,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  John  D. 
Smith  at  Easter,  1834.  Mr.  Smith  contin- 
ued iu  the  Rectorship  eleven  years.  In  the 
tirst  five  years  he  officiated  in  this  church 
every  Sunday;  the  next  two  years  he  divid- 
ed his  services  equally  between  this  church 
and  St.  Peter's,  Oxford.  In  1841  this  ar- 
rangement was  discontinued,  and  Mr. 
Smith  again  coufined  his  labors  to  this  Par- 
ish. In  1841  the  church  underwent  a  com- 
plete repair  at  an  expense  of  $150.  The 
wood  work  in  the  interior  was  grained  aud 
the  pulpit  lowered  about  three  feet;  it 
would  have  added  much  more  to  the  con- 
venience  of  the  hearers    as   well    as  the 


speaker,  if  it  had  been  cut  down  five  feet 
more;  but  the  small  reduction  in  height 
was  looked  upon  as  a  great  innovation  by 
some  of  the  older  members  of  the  Parish. 

At  Easter  in  1845,  Rev.  Mr.  Smith  re- 
signed the  Rectorship  of  the  Parish,  aud 
the  Rev.  John  Purvis  became  the  Rector. 
He  remained  two  years  and  during  his 
ministry  he  baptised  six  adults  and  twen- 
ty-six children,  married  three  couple  and 
attended  sixteen  funerals.  At  this  time 
there  were  about  one  hundred  communi- 
cants connected  with  the  parish.  In  the 
summer  of  1845  the  church  was  painted  ou 
the  outside  at  the  cost  of  $120,  which  was 
defrayed  by  the  ladies'  sewing  society. 
The  next  spring  the  ladies  furnished  the 
church  with  carpets,  lamps  aud  curtains 
for  the  windows.  At  the  resignation  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Purvis  the  Rev.  Abel  Nichols 
officiated  as  a  supply  one  year,  until  Easter, 
1848.  At  the  annual  meeting  in  1847  a  re- 
port was  made  of  the  indebtedness  of  the 
Parish,  which  was  $285.46.  At  the  same 
time  the  committee  were  "instructed  to 
procure  from  the  grand  list  of  the  town  the 
amount  the  several  members  of  the  Parish 
stand  in  said  list  and  report  the  same  to 
the  next  meeting."  This  action  was  taken 
with  a  view  of  taxing  the  members  of  the 
Parish  sufficient  to  pay  its  indebtedness. 
Whether  the  prospect  of  a  tax  or  dissatis- 
faction with  the  management  of  the  aft'airs 
of  the  Parish  or  whether  some  other  cause 
operated,  is  not  recorded,  but  the  records 
show  that  about  this  time  a  number  of  the 
members  withdrew  from  its  connection  and 
left  the  burden  which  they  had  helped  to 
create  to  be  liquidated  by  the  more  faith- 
ful, though  uot  more  able,  friends  of  the 
church.  The  report  of  the  committee  was 
not  made  as  directed,  aud  the  debt  was 
not  paid.  From  Easter,  1848,  uutil  Sep- 
tember of  that  year  the  church  remained 
vacant,  when  the  Rev.  William  F.  Walker 
assumed  the  charge  of  the  Parish.  He 
was  instituted  into  the  Rectorship  (the  first 
and  last  institution  in  the  Parish)  Nov. 
22nd,  1848,  and  continued  in  charge  until 
January,  1851,  when  he  removed  to  New 
York.  He  was  subsequently  tried  by  an 
ecclesiastical   court  aud   fouud   guilty    of 


28 


SEYMOUR  AXD  VICIXITY. 


immoralities  for  which  he  was  fle- 
graded  from  the  ministry,  by  Right  Rev. 
Bishop  Waruwright,  at  the  Geueral  Con- 
veution  of  1853.  When  he  removed  he 
took  with  him  the  Parish  register,  which 
has  not  yet,  and  probably  never  will  be  re- 
turned, as  the  last  heard  of  it,  it  was  be- 
ing used  for  a  scrap  book.  The  loss  of  the 
register  deprives  the  Parish  of  much  valua- 
ble information  in  regard  to  the  number  of 
communicants,  baptisms,  marriages  and 
deaths  in  the  Parish  for  a  long  term  of 
years.  After  his  degradation  from  the  minis- 
try Walker  lived  a  tragical  life  and  died 
from  the  eifect  of  an  overdose  of  medicine 
prescribed  for  the  relief  of  a  nervous  affec- 
tion, in  the  early  part  of  1876. 

At  the  Easter  of  1851  the  Rev.  Charles 
G.  Acly  became  Rector  and  remained  two 
years.  For  several  years  previous  to  this 
a  debt  had  been  constantly  increasing  until 
it  amounted  to  $350  at  the  Easter  of  1853, 
which  Mr.  Acly  succeeded  in  canceling  be- 
fore he  left  the  Parish.  The  ladies'  society 
contributed  $170  of  the  amount  paid.  The 
Parish  was  now  entirely  free  from  debt. 
In  June,  1853,  the  Rev.  O.  Evans  Shannon 
became  Rector  of  the  Parish.  At  a  meet- 
ing at  Easter,  1856,  the  name  of  the  Parish 
was  changed  from  Union  to  Trinity.  At 
this  time  the  church  neetled  considerable 
repairs ;  the  timbers  in  the  steeple  were 
much  decayed  and  it  was  considered  un- 
safe by  those  who  carefully  examined  it, 
the  roof  leaked  badly,  and  the  enlarge- 
ment and  repair  of  the  church  began  to  be 
seriously  talked  about.  At  Easter,  1857, 
a  committee  was  appointed  consisting  of 
Thomas  W.  Holbrook,  B.  W.  Smith  and 
Sheldon  Church,  to  see  what  could  be  done 
in  regard  to  repairs,  and  to  report  at  an 
adjourned  meeting.  Their  report  was 
made  in  the  following  June,  that  about 
$2,100  had  been  subscribed  to  defray  the 
expense  of  the  contemplated  repairs,  and 
it  was  resolved  to  begin  the  work.  The 
plans  of  the  alterations  had  been  previous- 
ly made  by  Mr.  Austin  of  New  Haven.  A 
building  committee  was  appointed,  con- 
sisting of  B.  W.  Smith,  S.  D.  Russell  and 
Sheldon  Church,  the  two  former  only  acted. 

At  the  meeting  which  resolved  to  begin 


the  work  but  four  legal  voters  were  pres- 
ent, viz:  Harpiu  Riggs,  S.  D.  Russell  and 
Thomas  W.  Holbrook,  Vestrymen,  and  B. 
W.  Smith,  Parish  Clerk,  three  of  which 
were  in  favor  of  the  enterprise  and  one  op- 
posed it;  but  after  the  decision  was  made 
all  acted  iu  perfect  harmony  throughout. 
The  last  service  was  held  in  the  old  chhrch 
on  the  5th  of  July,  1857.  The  expense  of 
the  work  amounted  to  $6,000.  The  ex- 
pense of  furnishing  the  church  with  car- 
pets, cushions,  &o.,  and  completing  the 
steeple  above  the  bell  deck  was  defrayed 
by  the  ladies  of  the  Parish,  and  amounted 
to  over  $800. 

The  church  was  consecrated  by  Right 
Rev.  Bishop  Williams,  on  the  11th  of  May, 
18.58.  The  building  was  almost  entirely 
new,  with  the  exception  of  the  frame.  The 
number  of  slips  were  increased  from  forty- 
two  to  seventy,  and  iu  doing  the  work  a 
debt  of  $3,000  was  contracted.  To  com- 
plete the  church  was  no  easy  task  with  the 
limited  amount  of  money  at  the  disposal 
of  the  committee,  and  how  the  funds  were 
furnished  is  known  only  to  those  who  had 
the  matter  in  charge.  The  collection  of 
subscriptions  or  the  loaning  of  money  was 
made  almost  impossible  by  the  financial 
crisis  which  commenced  early  in  Septem- 
ber after  the  work  was  begun,  and  caused 
financial  ruin  throughout  the  country. 
The  committee  received  but  little  aid  or 
encouragement  from  men  connected  with 
the  Parish  beyond  its  officers,  and  certainly 
they  neither  received  or  expected  any  from 
any  other  source;  but  on  the  contrary  they 
were  ridiculed  in  every  possible  manner, 
and  it  was  prophesied  that  the  undertaking 
would  prove  as  disastrons  as  the  "South  Sea 
Bubble,"  that  the  church  would  never  be 
completed,  or  if  it  was  it  never  would  be 
paid  for.  The  workmen  were  advised  to 
get  their  pay  as  they  did  their  work  or 
they  never  would  get  it;  but  to  their 
credit  they  heeded  not  the  advice.  The 
lumber  merchant  was  told  more  than  once 
that  he  never  would  get  pay  for  the  lumber 
furnished  for  the  building,  and  a  leading 
merchant  in  the  village  refused  to  furnish 
the  committee  with  ten  pounds  of  vails,  on 
the  credit  of   the  Parish.    Acting   uuder 


SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY. 


29 


these  circumstauces  it  is  presumed  that  it 
would  be  an  aifectation  for  the  committee 
to  say  that  they  were  uot  considerably  em- 
barrassed ;  and  yet,  when  the  church  was 
re-opened  every  bill  of  expense  for  the  re- 
pairs had  been  paid  with  the  exception  of 
$30  for  painting  and  about  the  same  amount 
due  to  one  of  the  joiners.  In  1864  the  debt 
contracted  in  rebuilding  the  chnrch  was 
reduced  to  less  than  four  hundred  dollars. 

It  has  been  said  that  the  committee  re- 
ceived but  Itttle  encouragement  from  the 
men  connected  with  the  Parish,  but  the 
same  can  not  be  said  of  the  ladies,  for  they 
rendered  most  valuable  aid,  not  only  by 
the  $800  which  they  contributed,  but  by 
the  cheerful  encouragement  which  was  be- 
stowed on  every  proper  occasion.  It  will 
be  doing  no  injustice  to  other  ladies  to 
mention  in  this  connection  the  name  of 
Mrs.  M.  P.  Shannon,  the  wife  of  the  Rector. 

Rev.  Mr.  Shannon  resigned  the  charge  of 
the  Parish  the  first  of  June,  1866.  During 
his  ministry  here  there  were  185  baptisms 
performed,  105  persons  were  confirmed  at 
nine  visits  of  the  Bishop;  166  were  buried 
and  202  were  joined  in  holy  matrimony. 
On  the  18th  of  May,  1864,  the  steeple  ot 
the  church  was  again  struck  by  lightning, 
but  the  damage  done  was  but  a  few  dollars. 
On  the  first  of  April,  1866,  the  Parish  bought 
a  house  of  Mrs.  Lucy  M.  Beach  for  a  Rec- 
tory, at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  From  the  resig- 
nation of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Shannon  to  January, 
1867,  the  Rectorship  remained  vacant. 
Regular  services  however  were  maintained 
by  temporary  supply.  In  the  month  of 
July,  1866,  the  church  was  painted  on  the 
outside  at  an  expense  of  $290.53,  of  which 
sum  $267.73  was  paid  by  the  ladies  of  the 
Parish. 

The  Rev.  George  Seabury  entered  upon 
the  Rectorship  of  the  Parish  on  the  second 
Sunday  in  January,  1867.  In  the  fall  of 
the  year  1867  the  church  was  closed  for 
two  months;  when  the  interior  wood  work 
was  grained  and  the  walls  colored,  at  the 
cost  of  $800,  over  $600  of  which  was  paid 
by  the  ladies  of  the  Parish.  The  church 
was  re-opened  on  the  last  Sunday  in  Octo- 
ber. Before  the  re-opening  of  the  church 
an  altar  had  been  placed  in  the  chancel  at 
the  cost  of  117.64,  which  was  paid  by  the 
ladies  of  the  Parish;  and  soon  after  a 
credence  was  placed  at  the  left  of  the 
altar  at  the  cost  of  $15.40,  the  gift  of  a 
female  member  of  the  Parish.  At  Christ- 
mas of  this  year  a  prayer  desk  and  lect- 
urn  were  placed  in  the  chancel  at  the  cost 
of  $70.50,  which   was  raised   by  subscrip- 1 


tions,  and  soon  after  prayer  books  for  the 
altar  and  prayer  desk  at  the  cost  of  $29. 
In  December,  1870,  a  cabinet  organ  was 
purchased  for  the  Sunday  School  at  the 
cost  of  $130,  raised  by  subscriptions.  In 
the  summer  of  1871  a  new  stone  font  was 
placed  in  the  church.  The  cost  of  the  same 
was  $177.18,  raised  by  the  ladies  of  the 
Parish,  the  proceeds  of  a  festival. 

In  1872  hangings  for  the  pulpit  and  lec- 
turn  were  provided  for  by  subscriptions  at 
the  cost  of  $26.50.  In  March,  1873,  the 
Rectory  property  purchased  in  1866  for 
$2,500,  was  sold  for  the  same  sum  and  the 
proceeds  used  to  liquidate  the  debt  incurred 
through  the  original  purchase.  About  the 
same  time  subscriptions  to  the  amount  of 
about  $1000  were  secured  to  cancel  the 
floating  debt  of  the  parish,  (including  the 
balance,  $400,  of  the  debt  incurred  in  1857 
for  rebuilding  the  church),  this  substantial- 
ly freeing  the  Parish  from  debt. 

The  Rev.  George  Seabury  resigned  the 
Rectorship  of  the  Parish  on  the  21st  of 
April,  1875,  after  an  encumbency  of  over 
eight  years.  During  his  Rectorship  132 
persons  were  baptised,  74  persons  received 
the  rite  of  Confirmation,  169  persons  were 
admitted  to  the  Holy  Commnnion,  46  mar- 
riages were  solemnized,  and  the  bodies  of 
128  were  committed  to  the  ground,  "Earth 
to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust." 

The  present  statistics  of  the  Parish  are 
nearly  as  follows:  families,  135;  baptised 
membeis  of  thechurch,410;  communicants, 
157.  The  loss  of  the  Parish  register  in  1851 
rendes  it  impossible  to  state  tbe  statistics 
of  the  Parish  with  correctness  previous  to 
that  time.  On  the  27th  day  of  June,  1875, 
the  steeple  of  the  church  was  the  third 
time  struck  by  lightning;  the  damage  done 
amounted  to  about  $50. 

Of  the  sixty-three  persons  who  contribu- 
ted to  defray  the  expense  of  finishing  the 
chnrch  in  1816,  not  one  is  now  living.  Mr. 
Isaac  Kinney  who  died  recently  at  the  age 
of  eighty-five  was  the  last  survivor.  Of 
the  slip  holders  in  1840,  only  two  are  slip 
holders  at  the  present  time,  viz:  Dr.  S.  C. 
Johnson  and  B.  W.  Smith,  and  only  five  of 
the  whole  number  are  now  living.  The 
subscription  lists  containing  the  names  of 
the  contributors  and  the  amount  contribu- 
ted by  each  for  church  purposes,  have  in 
almost  every  instance  been  carefully  pre- 
served, and  if  now  published,  would  probab- 
ly prove  more  interesting  to  the  public 
than  to  the  living  subscribers.  Duriug  the 
first  twenty-five  years  from  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Parish  eight  clergymen  were 
employed  for  a  specified  length  of  time, 
and  in  the  next  fifty-three  years,  nine, 
four  of  whom  had  charge  of  the  Parish  over 
forty-three  years.  On  the  25th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1875,  the  Rev.  Edwin  J.  K.  Lessel  be- 
came Rector  of  the  Parish.  B.  W.  S. 


THE  i:n^dia:?^s. 


The  Quinnipiac  Indians,  who  mostly  lived  around  New  Haven  Harbor, 
claimed  the  land  to  the  north  and  northwest  as  far  as  the  Xaugatuck,  but  it 
was  the  Paugussetts  who  mostly  occupied  the  valleys  of  the  Housatouic  and 
the  Naugatuck.  They  were  not  numerous  for  a  section  so  well  adapted  to 
yield  liberal  supplies  to  the  hunter  and  the  fisherman,  for  years  before  the 
merciless  Mohawks  from  IS'ew  York,  of  the  warlike  Iroquois  race,  had  raided 
over  this  section,  and  the  Connecticut  Indians,  who  were  of  the  peaceful 
Algonquin  stock,  had  been  greatly  lessened  in  numbers. 

The  chief  seat  of  the  Paugussett  Indians  was  at  the  mouth  of  the  Nauga- 
tuck.  On  the  triangular  shaped  tract  of  land  which  terminates  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  two  rivers,  was  their  headquarters,  and  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Housatonic,  about  a  mile  above  the  confluence  of  the  Housatonic  and  the 
Naugatuck,  was  their  fortress,  to  which  they  retreated  in  times  of  danger. 
The  last  sachem  at  this  place,  Conquepotanah,  died  in  1731, 

From  the  time  of  the  first  deeds  from  Indians  to  white  men,  in  this 
vicinity,  in  1662  and  1664,  (see  pp.  5  to  7),  the  Indians  continued  to  dispose 
of  their  lands  to  the  whites  for  probably  about  all  they  were  w^orth  at  that 
time.  The  Indians  were  evidently  satisfied  with  their  renumeration  and  seem 
to  have  made  no  reprisals.  Among  those  who  sold  the  lands,  and  who  were 
evidently  sachems  and  chiefs,  were  Ansantaw^ay,  also  written  Ansantwan  and 
Ansantawae,  and  his  two  sons  Ockenuck,  (Okenance,  Akenanco  and  Ocke- 
nungo,)  and  Tountonemo,  (Toutaemo) ;  also  Conqiiepotana,  (Oonchupatany, 
Conquepatana  or  Konkapotanauh,  and  Huntawah  (Ahuntaway  or  Ahan- 
taway).  Cheshconeeg,  who  lived  near  Squantuck  in  1693,  is  also  identified 
w  ith  Ohusqunnoog,  who  was  in  1716  one  of  the  grantors  of  a  tract  of  land 
north  of  the  Waterbury  and  Woodbury  bounds,  extending  from  the  Nauga- 
tuck  to  the  Shepang. 


32  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUE. 

Eeferriug  to  thes<^  sales  of  the  lands,  Dr.  Anderson  says  :  "  It  would  be 
interesting  to  consider  somewhat  carefully  the  nature  of  this  primitive  pro- 
prietorship, for  it  has  decided  bearings  upon  the  great  modern  question  of  the 
origin  of  property,  and  the  significance  of  that  '  institution '  in  the  history  of 
civilization.  It  was  said  by  Sir  Edmund  Andross  that  Indian  deeds  were 
'  no  better  than  the  scratch  of  a  bear's  paw ; '  and  there  are  those  at  the 
present  day  who,  for  different  reasons  from  those  which  shaped  the  opinion  of 
Andross,  would  deny  that  the  aboriginal  ownership  of  the  soil  was  of  any  ac- 
count Avhatever.  Because  their  system  was  a  kind  of  communism,  their 
rights  amount  to  nothing  in  the  eyes  of  these  modern  thinkers.  The  early 
settlers,  however,  either  from  a  sense  of  justice  or  out  of  regard  to  expediency, 
made  it  a  rule  to  extinguish  the  titles  of  the  natives  by  actual  purchase.  And 
when  we  consider  the  value  of  money  at  that  day,  the  '  unimproved '  condi- 
tion of  the  lands,  and  the  fact  that  in  almost  all  cases  the  grantors  reserved 
either  large  sections  as  huntiag  grounds,  or  else  the  right  to  hunt  everywhere 
as  before  the  sale,  we  can  hardly  say  that  the  Indians  were  unfairly  dealt 
with.  The  Indian  usually  reserved,  or  at  least  supposed  that  he  was  reserving, 
the  right  to  hunt  and  fish  everywhere,  as  before  the  lands  were  sold.  In  most 
of  the  towns,  he  remained  harmless  and  unmolested  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  settlements,  from  generation  to  generation.  The  relations  of  the  aborigi- 
nal inhabitants  to  the  whites  are  well  illustrated  in  the  statement  of  an  aged 
citizen  of  Farmington,  who  died  within  the  present  century,  and  who  was 
born  about  1730,  '  that  within  his  recollection  the  Indian  children  in  the  dis  - 
trict  school  were  not  much  fewer  than  those  of  the  whites.  In  their  snow- 
balling parties  the  former  used  to  take  one  side  and  the  latter  another,  when 
they  would  be  so  equally  balanced  in  numbers  and  prowess,  as  to  render  the 
battle  a  very  tough  one  and  the  result  doubtful.'  But,  however  good  the  in- 
tentions of  the  white  man  may  have  been,  the  transformation  of  the  wilder- 
ness into  a  fruitful  field  must  go  steadily  on,  and  the  Red  Man  must  in- 
evitably fall  back,  seeking  new  hunting  grounds.  For  example,  the 
Paugussets  of  the  seacoast  removed  inland,  as  we  have  seen,  and  made  their 
principal  seat  at  the  lower  end  of  the  Naugatuck  Valley,  which  thus  became 
practically  a  new  settlement." 

Joseph  Mauwehu  was  the  son  of  Gideon  Mauwehu,  a  Pequot  Indian, 
who  lived  for  a  time  in  or  near  Derby,  and  afterward  removed  to  Scatacook 
and  was  chief  of  the  Indians  who  collected  there.  Joseph  was  brought  in  his 
boyhood  to  Derby  Neck  to  live  with  a  Mr.  Durand  till  he  arrived  at  man- 
hood, then  was  married  to  Sarah,  of  the  Farmington  Indians  and  settled  in 
the  south  part  of  Derby  near  Turkey  Hill,  but  afterward  removed  to  Nauko- 
tunk,  now  Seymour.  Joseph  lived  at  first  near  the  Falls,  afterwards  in  a 
frame  house  built  for  him  on  the  site  where  Dr.  Thomas  Stoddard  now  lives. 
De  Forest,  in  his  History  of  the  Indians  of  Connecticut,  gives  the  following 
account  of  Joseph  Mauwehu  : 


THE  INDIANS.  33 

"  Here  a  few  followers  gathered  round  him,  and  during  forty  or  fifty 
years  he  played  the  part  of  a  petty  sachem.  From  his  manner  of  pronouncing 
the  word  '  choose,'  he  was  nick-named  Chuce ;  and  he  is  still  well  remembered 
in  the  village  by  the  name  of  Old  Chuce.  He  built  his  wigwam  among  a  few 
oak  trees  near  the  falls,  and  supported  himself,  after  the  fashion  of  his  race, 
by  fishing  and  hunting  and  by  the  produce  of  a  little  patch  of  ground.  When 
he  took  up  his  residence  here,  there  were  only  two  or  three  white  ftimilies  in 
the  vicinity,  but  others  followed,  and  gradually  built  up  a  village,  which  for 
many  years  was  •  known  by  the  name  of  Chuce-towu.  The  sachem  lived  on 
the  most  amicable  terms  with  his  civilized  neighbors,  and  I  have  heard  him 
spoken  of  with  feelings  of  evident  kindness  and  sympathy  by  tliose  who  re- 
membered him.  Anecdotes  are  preserved  of  him  which  show  that  he  was 
somewhat  addicted  to  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  and  considered  rum  or  whisky 
essentially  superior  as  a  beverage  to  cold  water.  He  used  to  come  when  he 
was  thirsty  to  a  fine  spring  bursting  from  a  hollow  rock  at  the  foot  of  a  hill, 
and  there  used  to  sit  on  the  bank  by  the  side  of  the  spring,  and  drink  the 
sweet  water  as  it  gushed  from  the  rock,  and  praise  it,  and  say  that  if  there 
was  only  another  spring,  just  such  a  spring,  of  rum,  flowing  by  the  side  of  it, 
he  would  ask  for  nothing  more,  but  would  be  perfectly  happy." 

The  spring  referred  to  was  a  few  rods  east  of  where  Davis'  Block  now 
stands,  and  the  place  is  still  marked  by  a  well,  the  place  having  been 
gi-adually  covered  with  earth  to  the  depth  of  ten  or  twelve  feet.  There  used 
to  be  a  little  lakelet  south  of  the  spring,  three  or  four  rods  in  length,  abound- 
ing with  small  fish.     Tliis  was  drained  about  1845,  and  afterward  filled  in. 

Among  the  traditions  of  this  period  is  one  of  a  white  man  named 
Durand  and  an  Indian  who  were  hunting  near  the  river  about  a  mile  beloAv 
the  bridge.  Durand,  seeing  something  moving  in  the  bushes,  which  he  sup- 
posed to  be  a  deer,  aimed  at  the  place  and  fired.  Hastening  to  the  spot  he 
found  he  had  shot  an  Indian,  who,  in  his  last  agonies,  asked  for  water,  which 
Durand  brought  for  him  from  the  river.  The  case  was  submitted  to  arbitra- 
tion, and  during  the  discussion  one  of  the  Indian  witnesses  remarked,  refer- 
ring to  the  Indian's  bright  leggings,  that  he  never  before  knew  of  a  deer 
wearing  red  stockings.  The  Indians  were,  however,  satisfied  that  the  homi- 
cide was  accidental,  and  ever  afterward  treated  the  white  hunter  in  the  most 
friendly  manner. 

Mauwehu  moved  back  to  the  falls  for  a  while  before  he  moved  to  Scatacook. 
He  had  eight  children,  two  sons  and  six  daughtei's.  His  oldest  son,  Joseph, 
enlisted  as  a  soldier  and  went  to  Boston  when  hostilities  commenced.  After 
his  term  of  service  closed  on  his  way  home  he  was  poisoned  and  died,  prob- 
ably by  the  opposers  of  the  war.  Three  of  his  children  died  in  childhood. 
Elihu,  his  youngest  son,  was  an  unusually  intelligent  Indian. 


34  HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Tlie  tribe  of  which  Mauwehu  was  a  nieiiiber,  claimed  vthe  land  as  far  north 
as  Mattatuck  or  Waterbury.  When  the  Indian  census  was  taken  by  the 
colony  in  1774,  there  were  four  of  Chuse's  band  in  Waterbury,  where  the  first 
settlers  were  not  particular  to  higgle  with  the  Indians  concerning  the  owner- 
ship of  the  land,  but  paid  both  the  Farmington  Tunxis  and  the  Derby 
Paugussetts  for  it.  They  were  paid  in  hard  cash,  not  with  the  baubles  some- 
times used  to  cheat  the  Indians  of  their  lands.  The  first  deed  was  dated  1G74, 
but  the  same  land  was  bounded  more  definitely  and  again  purchased  in  1G85, 
and  the  third  time  the  Derby  Indians  were  paid  25  shillmgs  for  "  a  small 
piece  of  land  north  of  the  Derby  bounds,  west  of  ISTaugatuck  river  and  south 
of  Toantick  brook." 

Of  Eunice,  a  daughter  of  Mauwehu,  and  her  children,  De  Forest  said  in 
1850 :  "  Old  Eunice,  as  she  was  commonly  called,  died  a  number  of  years 
since.  Her  two  children,  Jim  and  Ruby,  I  have  often  seen  coming  into  my 
native  village,  to  sell  parti-colored  baskets  and  buy  provisions  and  rum. 
Ruby  was  short  and  thick,  and  her  face  was  coarse  and  stupid.  Jim's  huge 
form  was  bloated  with  liquor;  his  voice  was  coarse  and  hollow;  and  his  steps, 
even  when  he  was  not  intoxicated,  were  unsteady  from  the  evil  effects  of 
ardent  spirits.     At  present,  I  believe,  they  are  all  in  their  graves!" 

"Knowing  little  of  European  modes  of  life,  and  judging  of  the  colonists 
greatly  by  themselves,  they  supposed  tliat  the  latter  would  cultivate  but  a  lit- 
tle laud,  and  support  themselves  for  the  rest  by  trading,  fishing  and  hunting. 
Little  did  they  think  that  in  the  course  of  years  the  white  population  would 
increase  from  scores  to  hundreds,  and  from  hundreds  to  thousands;  that  the 
deep  forests  would  be  cut  down;  that  the  wild  animals  would  disappear;  that 
the  fish  would  grow  few  in  the  rivers;  and  that  a  poor  remnant. ..  .would 
eventually  leave  the  graves  of  their  forefathers,  and  wander  away  into  another 
land.  Could  they  have  anticipated  that  a  change  so  wonderful,  and  in  their 
history  so  unprecedented,  would  of  necessity  follow  the  coming  of  the  white 
man,  they  would  have  preferred  the  wampum  tributes  of  the  Peciuots  and  the 
scalping  parties  of  the  Five  Nations  to  the  vicinity  of  a  people  so  kind,  so 
peaceable  and  yet  so  destructive."     (De  Forest,  pp.  104,  1G5.) 

"Chieftains  of  a  vanished  race. 

In  your  ancient  burial  place, 

By  your  fathers'  ashes  blest. 

Now  in  peace  securely  rest. 

Since  on  life  you  looked  your  last. 

Changes  o'er  your  land  have  passed ; 

Strangers  came  with  iron  sway. 

And  your  tribes  have  passed  away. 

But  your  fate  shall  cherished  be 

In  the  strangers'  memory; 

Virtue  long  her  watch  shall  keep, 

Wlier(!  the  Red  Men's  ashes  sleep." 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  35 

In  the  early  days  of  N"ew  England  not  only  negroes,  but  Indians,  were 
held  as  slaves  to  the  whites.  In  the  old  records  of  Derby  are  occasional  en- 
tries of  Indian  slaves.     Following  are  deeds  of  this  kind  : 

"Know  all  meu  by  these  preaeuts  that  I,  Joseph  Gorluim  of  Stratford,  iu  the 
county  of  Fairfield,  in  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  for  and  in  consideration  of  sixty 
pounds  money  in  liand  received,  and  well  and  truly  paid  by  Col.  Ebenezer  Johnson  of 
Derby,  in  the  county  of  New  Haven  and  colony  aforesaid,  to  my  full  satisfaction  and 
content,  have  sold  and  made  over  unto  the  said  Ebenezer  Johnson  and  to  his  heirs, 
executors  and  assigns  forever,  oue  Indian  woman  named  Uinah,  of  about  twenty-six 
years  of  age:  for  him,  the  said  Johnson,  his  heirs,  executors  or  assigns,  to  have,  hold 
and  enjoy  the  said  Indian  woman  Dinah  as  his  and  their  own  proper  estate  from 
henceforth  forever,  during  the  said  Dinah's  life;  affirming  the  said  Dinah  to  be  my 
own  proper  estate,  and  that  I  have  in  myself  full  power  and  lawful  authority  to  sell 
and  dispose  of  the  said  Dinah  in  manner  as  aforesaid,  and  that  free  anul  clear  of  all 
inouuibrances  whatsoever.  In  witness  I  set  to  my  hand  and  seal  in  Stratford,  this 
eight  day  of  June  iu  the  year  of  our  Lord  God  17<J2.  Samukl  Frknch, 

Attorney  for  Capt.  Gorham. 
"Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  presence  of  us, 

John  Cuktiss, 

John  Leavknwoktii." 

"  Know  all  men  by  those  presents  that  I,  Hannah  Jonson,  widow  of  the  late  de- 
ceased Colonel  Ebenezer  Jonson  of  Derby,  in  the  county  of  New  Haven,  in  the  colony 
of  Connecticut  iu  New  England,  for  the  pareutly  love  and  good  will  which  I  have 
towards  my  beloved  son  Timothy  Jonson  of  Derby,  in  the  county  and  colony  aforesaid) 
and  for  divers  other  good  and  well-advised  considerations  me  thereuuto  moving,  have 
given  aud  do  by  these  presents  fully,  freely  and  absolutely  give,  grant  and  confirm 
unto  my  beloved  son  Timothy  John.son,  him,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever:  that  is  to 
say,  one  Indian  woman  called  Dinah,  and  also  a  feather-bed  that  he  hath  now  iu  pos- 
session; and  by  these  presents  I,  the  said  Hannah  Jonson,  do  give  grant  and  confirm, 
and  firmly  make  over  the  above-named  Dinah  and  feather-bed  with  all  their  privi- 
leges aud  profits;  and  unto  him,  the  said  Timothy  Jonsou,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for- 
ever, to  have  and  to  hold,  to  occupy,  use  and  improve,  as  he,  the  said  Timothy  Jonson, 
his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  think  fit,  without  any  interruption,  ^rouble  or  molestation 
any  manner  of  way  given  by  me,  the  said  Hannah  Jonson,  or  any  of  my  heirs,  execu- 
tors or  administrators,  or  any  other  person  or  persons  from,  by  or  under  me.  And 
furthermore  I  the  said  Hannah  Jonson  do  by  these  presents  for  myself,  my  heirs,  ex- 
ecutors and  administrators,  covenant  and  promise  to  aud  with  the  said  Timothy  Jon- 
son, his  heirs  and  assigns,  that  we  will  forever  warrant  and  defend  him  the  said 
Timothy  Jonsou,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  in  the  peaceable  and  quiet  po.ssession  and  en- 
joyment of  the  above-named  Dinah  and  feather-bed  against  the  lawful  claims  and 
demands  of  all  persons  whomsoever.  Iu  confirmation  of  all  the  above-mentioned  per- 
tikuarlyes  [particulars],  I  the  said  Hannah  Jonson  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and 
seal  this  22nd  day  of  November,  in  the  second  year  of  the  reign  of  our  sovereign  lord. 
King  George  the  Second,  aud  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight.  Hannah  Johnson, 

"  Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  iu  presence  of 
JoSKrii  Hulls, 
Chahles  Johnson  . 

"Derby,  November  22,  1728. — This  day  Hannah  Jonson,  the  subscriber  of  the 
above-written  instrument,  personally  appeared  and  acknowledgetl  this  to  be  her  own 
Iroe  act  and  deed,  before  mo  Joseph  Hulls,  Justice  of  the  Peace." 


36  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

The  following  entry  is  "verbatim  et  literatim": 

"these  may  certiti  whome  it  may  consarn  that  tobee  a  Ino-an  that  liv  ed  with  nie 
I  had  of  a  nioheg  Indian  at  n«\v  loudon  30  7  years  agoo.  he  liv  od  with  me  12  year 
and  is  now  and  has  bin  a  free  man  ever  senc  October  the  6  1713 

Ebenrzeh  Johnson  " 

It  is  thought  that  Col.  Johnson  came  in  possession  of  Toby  in  1088,  the 
year  of  the  beginning  of  King  William's  war,  and  perhaps  Toby  was  one  of 
the  northern  Indians  in  alliance  with  the  French,  taken  prisoner  in  that  war. 
A  tradition  has  been  handed  down  that  Ool.  Johnson,  with  his  forces,  sur- 
rounded an  Indian  village,  and  cut  down,  as  they  supposed,  every  one  in  it, 
and  that  early  the  next  morning  as  the  Colonel  was  walking  over  the  scene 
of  the  fight,  a'  little  Indian  boy  ran  out  of  the  bushes  and  clung  to  his  leg  with 
such  a  pleading  look  that  the  Colonel  spared  him,  and  brought  him  to  his 
home  by  the  Nfiugatuck.  The  manuscript  quoted  above  seems  to  conflict 
with  this  interesting  narrative. 

Tobee's  name  is  perpetuated  by  the  appellation  "Toby's  Rocks,"  as  ap- 
plied to  the  rocky  hills  and  cliff's  south  of  High  Rock,  which,  with  the;  sur- 
rounding land,  was  given  to  him  when  he  became  a  freeman. 

The  day  of  the  Indian  is  passed,  and  that  of  the  railroad  and  telegraph 
has  come;  yet  we  do  not  need  to  ride  or  walk  far  from  our  daily  haunts  to  find 
a  few  mixed  descendants  of  the  aboriginees.  These  are  mainly  offshoots  from 
the  Pequots.  They  have  lived  for  a  long  time  in  a  narrow  valley  where  a 
small  stream  and  a  large  one  unite,  a  spot  which  they  have  named,  as  Mr. 
Lossing  tells  us,  Pisli-gacli-ti-gock — "the  meeting  of  the  waters."  The  name 
on  white  lips  was  changed  to  Scatacook,  and  the  Indians  became  known  as  the 
Scatacook  Indians.  During  a  former  generation  these  wards  of  civilization 
used  to  frequent  the  villages,  peddling  baskets  and  small  wares  to  gain  a  live- 
lihood. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  a  remnant  of  the  Paugussetts 
were  still  living  in  Woodbridge,  bearing  the  name  of  Mack,  and  within  a  ffiw 
years  some,  who  were  supposed  to  be  their  descendants,  have  frequently  been 
seen  in  our  streets  offering  for  sale  the  baskets  they  had  made. 

Arrow  heads  of  flint  and  quartz  are  still  found  in  our  fields,  and  oc- 
casionally an  excavation  reveals  the  resting  place  of  some  dusky  warrior,  dis- 
tinguishable only  by  the  relics  which  kindred  hands  had  placed  in  his  grave, 
hoping  they  might  be  of  service  to  him  in  "the  happy  hunting  grounds"  to 
which  they  sui)posed  his  spirit  had  taken  flight. 

The  last  full  blood  Indian  of  this  tribe,  now  reduced  to  a  mere  hand- 
ful, mixed  with  negro  and  white  blood — was  the  famous  Eunice  Manwelm. 
She   lived   on    a  stat(!  reservation,  as    do  now  her  dwindling  descendants. 


HISTORV  OF  SEYMOUK.  37 

and  Hh'i}  in  1859,  aged  about  104  years.  Her  father  was  the  last  chief  who 
ruled,  and  she  was,  consequently,  of  royal  blood — a  princess,  in  fiict,  as  she 
would  have  been  in  name,  had  the  tribal  condition  of  her  people  continued. 

Until  within  a  few  weeks  of  her  death,  she  often  talked  with  freedom  of  the 
Indians  and  their  habits.  It  was  interesting  to  hear  her  pronunciation  of  the 
Indian  words  which  have  now  become  local  property,  and  are  attached  to  so 
many  places.  In  almost  evei-y  instance  the  modern  use  of  them  is  merely  a 
reduction  of  larger  and  more  unmanageable  ones — words  which,  as  they  are 
now  used,  have  been  shorn  of  a  half  or  a  third  of  their  original  syllables. 
She  was  intelligent,  and  accustomed  to  talk,  and  remembered,  of  course, 
many  curious  things.  She  made  a  striking  statement  that  she  saw,  when  a 
little  girl,  an  old  Indian  who  had  seen  King  Philip.  The  Indian  was  telling 
her  father  of  the  personal  traits  and  appearance  of  this  doughty  hero,  and 
narrating,  perhaps,  some  of  his  unrecorded  exploits  ;  and  she  was  a  wrapt 
listener  to  the  conversation.  To  see  an  Indian  who  had  seen  King  Philip 
was  like  putting  your  hand  backward  upon  the  vessel  which  landed  on  Plym- 
outh Rock.  When  one  sits  down  to  think  the  matter  seriously  over,  it  does 
not  seem  so  long  as  it  did  since  Columbus  discovered  America,  or  since  William 
the  Conqueror  set  foot  in  England,  or  in  fact,  since  anything  ancient  happened, 
when  a  few  memories  pasted  together  cover  an  arc  of  time." 


,-.....;^(>^-J7^':j^(j2|^5^^;5;i^V^'l^ 


The  Eai-ly  f^ettlers. 

Benajah  Johnson  and  Timothy,  his  brother,  who  settled  in  what  is  now 
Beacon  Falls,  came  fi'om  Derby,  but  were  natives  of  I^ew  Haven.  Their 
father  lived  in  a  house  which  stood  where  the  Exchange  building  now  stands, 
and  had  eight  sous.  The  wives  of  Timothy  and  Benajah  Johnson  were  grand- 
daughters of  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Brewster,  (son  of  Jonathan  Brewster,  who 
came  to  Plymouth  in  the  Mayflower,)  of  Setauket  Village,  Brookhaven,  Long 
Island,  and  great-granddaughters  of  Roger  Ludlow,  who  was  one  of  the  four 
principal  men  who  came  over  from  England  in  1630  with  Gov.  John  Win- 
throp,  and  who  began  to  settle  the  town  of  Dorchester,  Mass.  Mr.  Ludlow 
was  soon  made  deputy  governor  of  Massachusetts.  In  1036  he  and  seven 
others  were  invested  by  Massachusetts  with  all  the  powers  of  the  government 
of  the  new  colony  of  Connecticut.  He  removed  to  Windsor,  where  he  lived 
till  1640,  having  been  in  the  meantime  appointed  deputy  governor  of  Con- 
necticut and  to  other  high  ofiices  of  trust.  In  1640  he  and  several  others 
bought  of  the  Indians  Uncou,  including  the  region  now  called  Stratford, 
Bridgeport  and  Fairfield.  The  name  l)elonged  particularly  to  Fairfield,  where 
Gov.  Ludlow  and  his  associates  lived,  and  which  was  first  discovered  by  Capt. 
Mason  when  pursuing  the  Pequot  Indians  westward  after  their  memorable 
defeat  in  1637.  Thompson,  in  his  history  of  Long  Island,  speaking  of  Mr. 
Brewster  says :  "  He  was  a  nephew  of  the  Elder  William  Brewster  of  the 
Mayflower.  He  was  a  graduate  in  the  first  class  of  Harvard  College  in 
1642,  which  consisted  of  nine  young  men. 


38  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUE. 

During  the  Couiinonwealtli,  (from  1050  to  IGGO,)  lie  was  a  ipinister  in 
Norwalk,  Euglaiul,  but  on  tlie  restoration  of  uionarchj,  lie  returned,  to  Amer- 
ica and  was  settled  at  Setauket,  L.  I.,  in  1GG5.  His  tlirtse  sons,  Jolin,  Daniel 
and  Timothy,  had  resided  tluu'e  several  years  before  his  arrival  from  England. 
His  wife  was  iSarah,  daughter  of  lioger  Ludlow,  one  of  tiie  most  eminent 
men  of  New  England.  Mr.  Ludlow  was  a  member  of  the  council  and  deputy 
goveruor  of  ]\Lissacliusetts  and  Connecticut.  He  comjiosed  the  first  code  of 
laws  for  the  Connecticut  colony,  wliich  w;is  lirst  published  in  1()50.  Mr.  Lud- 
low's daughter  Sarah,  the  wife  of  IVL".  Brewster,  was  represented  as  a  person 
eminently  distinguished  for  her  genius  and  literary  attaiuuieuts.  The  three  sous 
of  Mr.  Lrewster  were  men  of  excellent  character  and  highly  useful  during 
their  lives.  The  wife  of  Benajah  Johnson  was  iirst  married  to  Joseph  Haw- 
kins of  Derby,  sou  of  fJohn  Hawkins,  Nov.  17,  1721),  when  she  was  19  years 
old.  He  or  his  son  Joseph,  who  was  the  ancestor  of  the  Hawkinses  of  Derby, 
built  the  tirst  house  on  Derby  Point,  where  Birmingham  now  is,  and  a  store 
for  the  purpose  of  importing  and  selling  West  India  goods.  This  house  and 
store  were  torn  down  not  many  years  ago. 

At  this  time  the  Housatonic  below  Derby  was  navigable  for  vessels  which 
could  come  up  to  where  now  is  the  rolling  mill  of  the  iron  works.  This  was 
the  location  of  the  store.  There  was  no  made  land  below  the  causeway,  east 
of  Birmingham.  Wliere  the  two  ri\'ers  met  was  a  kind  of  triangular  lake, 
deep  and  free  from  mud.  Joseph  Hawkins  died  about  the  year  17-55.  He 
had  a  daughter  Mary,  born  Sept.  5tli,  17U1,  who  married  Ebenezer  Judd,  of 
Waterbury,  Nov.  17tli,  1742,  and  was  the  mother  of  Brewster,  Enoch,  Eben- 
ezer, Suraii,  David,  Benajah  and  Amos  Judd,  also  a  son  Joseph,  born  April 
30tli,  1721,  who  carried  on  business  in  the  store  mentioned  above.  The  wid- 
ow Sarah  (Brewster)  Hawkins  and  Benajah  Johnson  were  married  Oct.  lOtli, 
1728,  and  they  soon  occupied,  as  pioneers,  the  first  house  in  Seymour,  which 
was  built  at  the  foot  of  the  first  hill  north  of  the  house  of  Mr.  Chatfield, 
posite  the  present  house  of  William  Gilyard.  She  took  her  name  from 
her  grandmother,  Sarah  Ludlow.  About  1750  he  built  the  house  which 
was  recently  torn  down  to  make  room  for  Chatheld's  present  house.  They  had 
three  children,  Isaac,  Zeviah  and  Sarah.  Isaac  was  born  in  1735  and  died  April 
10th,  1813,  aged  78  years.  Zeviali  was  born  in  1730  and  died  May  20tli, 
181b,  aged  77  years.  Isaac  married  Lois  Hopkins,  daughter  of  John  Hopkins 
of  Waterbury,  and  first  cousin  of  the  celebrated  divine,  \}i\  Samuel  Hopkins, 
who  was  the  sou  of  her  uncle  Timothy.  The  date  of  tlieir  marriage  was  Jan- 
uary 21st,  1758,  by  Kev.  Mark  Leavenworth,  the  pastor  of  the  church  in 
Waterbury.  Lois,  his  wife,  was  born  in  1738,  and  died  Oct.  IGtli,  1814,  aged 
7G  years.  Zeviah,  sister  of  Isaac,  was  married  to  Abiel  Fairchild,  and 
their  house  was  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  northwest  of  Pinesbridge.  Mr. 
Fairchild  was  an  excellent  man.  One  of  his  ueighbors  said  of  him  that  he 
was  an  "  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there  was  no  guile."  Sarah  married  John 
Hopkius  of  Waterbury.     (Derby  Records,  vol.  9,  p.  452.) 

Benajah  Johnson  died  April  13th,  17G3,  aged  59,  and  his  remains  were 
carried  on  a  horse  litter  to  the  original  burying  ground  of  Derby.  His  widow, 
Sarah,  died  May  7tli,  1773,  at  the  house  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Abiel  Fair- 
child.  Her  remains  were  interred  in  a  new  burying  ground  which  had  been 
begun  about  five  years  previous  to  her  death, — about  17G8, — on  a  terrace 
above  and  west  of  the  Naugatuck  railroad,  about  a  mile  above  the  depot  in 
Seymour.  This  place  of  burial  was  abandoned  before  the  year  1800,  when 
the  present  Pinesbridge  cemetery  was  chosen  and  given  by  Alexander  Johnson, 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  39 

son  of  TiiHOtliy.  This  early  burning  ground  of  17GS  is  now  in  the  woods  and 
overgrown  with  buslies  and  entirely  neglected.  The  last  burial  in  it  was  that 
of  a  mulatto  by  the  name  of  Shubael,  son  of  Pero,  a  pure-blooded  African. 
When  it  was  proposed  to  bury  the  remains  of  Shubael  in  the  Pinesbridge 
ground,  Mr.  Alexander  Johnson  forbade  it,  and  so  they  took  them  to  the 
ground  in  the  woods.  The  gravestones  of  Eenajah  Johnson  and  Sarah  his 
wife  were  placed  by  their  son  Isaac,  and  are  still  standing. 

Timothy  Johnson  and  Abigail  Brewster,  sister  of  Sarali  (Brewster)  Haw- 
kins, were  married  Feb.  21st,  1725.  Their  house  was  a  little  way  below  Pines- 
bridge,  at  a  crossing-place  on  the  Kaugatuck,  where  a  grandson,  Elijah,  died  in 
1847,  aged  75.  They  were  nnich  annoyed  by  wild  aninuils,  especially  by 
bears,  which  came  down  from  Rock  Rimmon  and  destroyed  their  crops,  and  by 
snakes  which  seemed  to  have  a  common  rendezvous  in  that  vicinity.  After  a 
while  they  went  back  to  Derby,  where  they  lived  several  years  and  then  re- 
turncMl.  They  were  both  buried  in  the  old  burying  ground  in  Derby.  They 
had  but  one  child,  Alexander,  wh«)  was  born  in  1730,  and  died  in  September, 
1817,  aged  87.  The  children  of  Capt.  Alexander  and  Hannah  Johnson  were 
Timothy,  born  Jan.  21st,  170(5,  died  Jan.  21st,  1830;  David,  Elijah,  Nathaniel, 
Charles ;  Peter,  born  Oct.  0th,  1784 ;  Alexander,  born  Feb.  22d,  1786 ;  and 
Abigail  Brewster,  who  married  Moses  Clark  of  Nyumphs. 

Capt.  James  Wheeler  of  D(;rby,  living  in  the  section  known  as  Turkey 
Hill,  marri(;d  Sarah  Liiggs,  and  had  three  daughters  and  seven  sons — Samuel, 
Moses,  John  W.,  David,  James,  Joseph  and  Simeon.  Capt.  James  Wheeler 
died  in  1708.  Samuel  built  the  first  house  in  Nyumphs,  the  eastern  part  of 
the  town  of  Beacon  Falls,  and  around  him  settled  his  brothers,  Moses,  David 
and  James.  Simeon  built  on  Biuimon  and  had  two  sons,  Nathan  and  Timo- 
thy, and  a  daughter  who  married  Bradford  Steele  of  Humphreysville.  Sam- 
uel Wheeler  was  the  father  of  Judge  Abel  Wheeler  of  Oxford,  who  built  and 
lived  in  the  house  now  occupied  by  S.  P.  Sanford.  John  W.  Wheeler  was 
the  father  of  Mr,  John  Todd  Wheeler,  who  recently  died  in  Seymour  at  a 
great  age.  He  was  born  at  the  house  of  his  uncle,  James  Wheeler,  which 
stood  north  of  the  woolen  factory.  Simeon's  large  two-story  house  stood  oppo- 
site the  auger  factory  north  of  the  covered  bridge. 

What  is  called  Lopus  \^'as  first  settled  by  Zadoc  Sanford  and  Hezekiah 
Clark,  grandfather  of  Sheldon  Clark,  about  the  year  1700.  He  and  his 
brother  David  lost  their  lives  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

The  dead  were  buried  in  Derby  till  about  one  hundred  and  ten  years  ago, 
when  a  few  were  interred  in  the  burying  ground  opposite  Rock  Rimmon.  The 
principal  mode  of  carrying  the  dead  to  Derby  was  on  a  horse  litter,  which  was 
extemporized  as  follows  :  Two  horses  with  saddles  were  placed  with  their 
heads  in  the  same  direction,  one  forward  of  the  other  about  seven  or  eight 
feet,  and  a  long,  stout  linen  bag  turned  or  looped  up  at  each  end  was  put  ove^r 
each  saddle  to  receive  the  ends  of  two  long,  smooth  and  strong  poles,  one  on 
each  side  of  the  horses,  and  two  or  three  cross  pieces  were  put  on  the  poles 
between  the  horses.  On  this  littter  the  coffin  was  placed  lengthwise,  and 
fastened  to  the  cross  pieces  by  cords.  As  the  horses  moved  on,  the  bearers 
walked  on  each  side  and  steadied  the  coffin.  The  mourners  and  their  neigh- 
bors followed  on  foot  and  on  horseback.  The  roads  in  those  days  were  narrow 
and  rough.  When  the  distance  from  the  house  to  the  burying  ground  was 
not  more  than  two  or  three  miles,  the  coffin,  placed  on  a  bier,  was  usually 
borne  on  the  shoulders  of  bearers,  four  and  four.  The  coffin  was  often  made 
of  whitewood  boards  and  colored  with  lamp  black,  but  the  most  costly  were 
Uiade  of  cherry. 


40  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

There  were  three  principal  ways  to  go  from  Derby  to  Waterbnry  in  those 
oUl  times.  One  way  was  on  the  east  side  of  the  Xaugatuck  by  the  house  of 
Eeuajah  Johnson  and  his  son  Isaac,  on  Skokorat,  tlien  up  over  Beacon  Hill  to 
Salem,  &c.  A  second  way  was  along  the  banks  of  the  Naugatuck,  crossing 
the  stream  sixteen  times.  This  was  often  the  way  in  summer,  when  the 
stream  was  low.  A  third  way  was  over  Great  Hill,  Rock'us  (Rock-house) 
Hill,  (Quaker  Farms,  &c.  Yfhen  a  man  and  his  wife  or  daughter  made  the 
journey  to  Waterbury  she  rode  behind  him  on  a  pillion. 

The  road  across  Great  Hill  was  laid  out  previous  to  1745,  as  appears  inci- 
dentally in  the  following  extract  from  the  records  : 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern,  Icnow  ye,  that  we,  the  suhscrihers  hereunto,  at  the  desire  of 
the  selectmen  of  Do'bey,  tvere  hy  the  civil  authority  in  Milford  appointed  and  sworn  to  affix 
and  sett  up  bounds  between  a  certain  highway  tvithin  the  bounds  of  Derbey  aforesaid,  on  a, 
place  called  the  Great  Hill,  the  land  on  the  Northward  side  of  the  Highivay  claimed  by  Capf. 
Sam^l  Bassitt  on  the  rights  of  Saml.  Hawley  of  Strafford,  and  on  the  Southward  side  of  said 
highway  claimed  by  Samuel  Tomlinson,  Abraham  Wooster  and  Jonathan  Lum.  According 
to  sd.  appointment  we  on  the  second  day  of  instant  May  did  go  upon  the  land,  and  consider- 
ing the  records  and  hearing  the  witnesses  tliere present,  set  up,  affix  and  renew  the  bounds  on 
each  side  of  sd.  highway,  and  a  heap  of  stones  at  the  South  n^est  corner  of  said  Bassitfs  lying 
within  the  fence,  and  a  heap  of  stones  lying  at  the  root  of  a  great  chestnut-tree  that  is  blown 
down  at  the  Southeast  corner  of  said  Bassitfs  Claim,  are  the  true  original  corners  of  Sd. 
Hawleyh  piece  of  land  as  laid  out  by  a  Committee  December  21,  1698,  and  that  a  straight 
line  from  said  Corners  is  the  northward  side  of  the  Highway.  And  four  rods  Southward 
from  said  heap  of  stones  at  the  root  of  said  Chestnut  tree  there  is  a  heap  of  stones  at  the  root 
of  a  black  oak  tree  in  Sd.  Jonathan  Lum^s  fence,  and  another  heap  of  stones  by  Woodbury 
road  four  rods  Southward  from  a  heap  of  stones  at  the  cwner  of  Sd.  BassitVs  land,  lying 
near  to  the  corner  of  Sd.  Tomlinson'»  land  that  was  former  ally  Silvester  JVooster's,  and  a 
straight  line  from  said  corners  is  the  Southward  side  of  said  Highway.  Done  by  us,  Derbey, 
May  2d,  1745. 

Natiianel  Faiijchild,  ) 
Nathan  Baldwin,         >Freebolder8. 
Entered  July  the  1st,  A.  D.,  1745,  Thomas  Claiike,  ) 

By  me,  Charles  French,  Eegtr. 

Joseph  Mamvehu,  or  Chuse,  about  1720,  was  presented  by  his  father  with 
a  tract  of  land  "  near  the  fiills  of  the  ISTaugatuc,"  where  a  little  band  of  In- 
dians gathered  around  and  recognized  him  as  their  chief.  At  first  there  were 
but  two  or  three  white  families  in  the  vicinity,  but  the  number  soon  increased. 
Joe  received  the  name  Chuse  fi'om  his  manner  of  pronouncing  choosCj  aiul 
from  this  the  place  was  called  Ohusetown  for  more  than  fifty  years.  Chuse 
was  a  skillful  hunter  and  captured  not  only  small  game,  but  occasionally  a 
deer,  wild  turkey  or  bear.  Finally  the  little  tribe  became  scattered,  and  in 
1763  Chuse  and  Houde  sold  a  part  of  their  land  to  Ebenezer  Keeney,  John 
Wooster  and  Joseph  Hull,  Jr.     The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  deed : 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  we,  Joseph  Chuse,  John  Houde,  Indians  of  Derbey, 
in  the  County  of  New  Haven,  and  Colony  of  Connecticut  in  New  England,  with  the  advice  of 
Samuel  Baset,  Esqr,  Agent  for  the  said  Indians,  according  to  the  Allowance  and  Liberty 
Given  to  Ebenezer  Keeney,  John  Woostei-  cj-  Joseph  Hull,  Jr.  of  Derby  tw  the  county  and 
colony  aforesaid  hy  the  general  assenMy  of  the  Colony  of  Conneciicut  on  the  first  Thursday  of 
Mag,  A.  D.  1760,  cj-  ive  the  said  Joseph  Chuse,  John  Houde,  Indians  aforesd — tvith  the 
Liberty  and  advice  aforesd — do  quit-claim  and  make  over  and  confirm  unto  the  said  Ebene- 
zer Keeney,  John  Wooster  Jj'  Joseph  Hull,  Jnr.,for  the  consideration  of  Eight  Pounds  LawfuU 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  41 

maney  to  vs  paid  iy  the  said  Ehenezer  Keeney,  John  Wooster  4'  Joseph  Hull,  Jr.,  which 
is  to  our  full  satisfaction,  and  we  the  said  Joseph  Chuse  <f-  John  Houde  do  by  these  Presents 
Quitclaim,  make  over  and  Confirm  to  them  the  sd  Ebenezer  Keeney,  John  Wooster  and  Joseph 
Hull,  Jr.,  a  Certaine  Parcell  of  Land  Lying  in  sd  Derby  at  the  Falls,  so  called,  Bounded  as 
follmoeth,  beginning  at  a  heap  of  stones  near  the  foot  of  the  Great  Bridge  which  is  the  original 
corner  of  the  Falls  Land,  and  run  east  four  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  the  edge  of  the  hill 
by  a  walnut  tree,  then  run  north  46  degs.  west  eleven  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  the  edge  of  a 
hnole,  then  West  14  Degs.  north  fourteen  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones  four  rods  from  the  bank  of 
the  river,  then  run  north  34  Degs.  west  fifteen  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  tlie  top  of  the  high 
iank,  then  run  west  45  Degs.  north  to  a  heap  of  stones  by  the  river  eighteen  rods,  and  then  its 
bounded  southerly  and  westerly  around  to  the  first  mentioned  bounds  near  the  foot  of  the 
Bridge  all  the  way  an  the  river,  taking  in  the  falls  Bocks,  Containing  one  acre  against  the 
falls  and  one  acre  and  a  half  of  land  for  highway  to  the  said  acre,  with  all  the  prevelidges 
and  appurtenances  belonging  to  said  falls  and  land,  and  we  the  said  Joseph  Chuse,  John 
Houde,  Indians,  as  aforesaid  do  by  these  presents  quitclaim,  release  and  relinquish  and  make 
over  to  them,  the  said  Ebenezer  Keeney,  John  Wooster  and  Joseph  Hull,  Jr.,  and  to  their 
heirs  and  assigns  forever  without  any  molestation  given  by  us  or  by  our  heirs  or  assigns.  In 
Confirmation  of  the  p)-emises  we  have  hereunto  set  our  Hands  and  Seals  this  forth  day  of 

October,  A.  D.,  1763. 
Signed,  Sealed  and  delivered 

in  pi-esence  of  JOSEPH  CHUSE 

CHABLES  FBENCH, 
JOHN  HOLBEOOK,  jqhN  HOUDE 


Derby,  in  the  County  of  New  Haven,  on  the  day  and  date  above  said  personally  ap- 
peared Joseph  Chuse  and  John  Houde,  signers  and  sealers  to  the  above  instrument  and  ac- 
knowledged the  said  instrument  to  be  their  free  act  and  deed. 

Before  me,  CHARLES  FRENCH,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

It  appears  however,  that  some  Indians  remained  in  the  vicinity  long 
after  this,  as  at  a  town  meeting  held  Mar.  8, 1780,  "Capt.  Bradford  Steel  and 
Mr.  Gideon  Johnson  were  appointed  a  committee  with  fiiU  power  to  take 
care  of  the  Indian  Lands  in  Derby,  and  let  out  the  same  to  the  best  advan- 
tage for  the  support  of  said  Indians  and  to  take  care  that  there  be  no  waste 
made  on  said  land,  and  to  render  an  account  of  their  doings  to  said  town  of 
Derby." 

Francis  French,  one  of  the  original  grantees  of  Derby,  when  it  was  set 
apart  from  the  Milford  plantation,  came  over  in  the  ship  "Defence"  in  1635, 
being  then  but  ten  years  of  age.  Savage,  in  his  Dictionary  of  First  Settlers 
of  New  England,  says  he  came  over  with  William,  his  *  *  *  uncle,  who 
settled  at  Cambridge,  Mass.  The  English  records  of  emigration  of  about 
that  time  record  the  departure  of  one  Francis  French,  aged  ten  years,  and 
his  mother.  This  Francis  French  was  one  of  the  selectmen  of  the  town  in 
1666,  when  the  usual  pay  of  town  officials  for  their  services  was  2s.  6d.  per 
day.  His  son  Francis,  born  Feb.  11,  1677,  was  the  father  of  Israel  French, 
who  built  his  house  where  now  stands  the  house  of  WUliam  Gilyard,  on  Sko- 
corat,  in  1740,  and  so  was  a  near  neighbor  of  Benajah  Johnson.  This  Israel 
French  mamed  Sarah  Loveland  Sept.  11,  1739.  He  was  elected  a  Surveyor 
of  Highway  at  a  town  meeting  held  Dec.  10th,  1764,  and  held  the  office 
several  years.  As  the  highway  to  Derby  was  then  little  better  than  a  forest 
path,  the  office  was  probably  no  sinecure.  His  oldest  son,  David,  bom  in 
1741,  lived  in  Bethany,  then  a  parish  of  Woodbridge.  He  was  familiarly 
known  as  King  David,  and  the  records  mention  him  as  a  land  holder  of 
Nyumphs  in  1766,  and  years  afterward  as  prominent  among  the  early  Metho- 
dists.    He  died  Aug.  4,  1821,  aged  80  years.     Another  son  of  this  pioneer, 


42  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

Israel,  was  Charles,  born  Dec.  19,  1765,  who  was  the  father  of  Raymond 
French,  Esq,  Charles,  brother  of  Israel  French,  was  town  clerk  of  Derby 
thirty-four  years.  The  family  were  remarkable  for  their  tenacious  memories. 
It  was  said  of  Israel  that  after  once  hearing  a  sermon  he  could  repeat  it  from 
memory  with  but  little  varation. 

Richard  Baldwiny  one  of  the  original  grantees  of  the  town  of  Derby, 
was  a  native  of  England,  baptized  there  in  1622,  and  came  over  with  his 
father  Sylvanus  on  board  ship  Martin.  Sylvanus  was  the  son  of  Sylvester, 
from  parish  Ashton,  Clinton,  Bucks  Co.,  Eng.,  who  died  in  1638  on  ship 
Martin.  Richard  bought  land  Oct.  10th,  1669,  in  the  south  part  of  Derby, 
of  Ockemunge,  (written  also  Okenuch  and  Okenug,)  "sole  sachem  of  Pau- 
gussett,"  Chupps  and  Nehawkumme. 

He  was  selected  by  the  General  Court  as  "Moderator  of  the  new  settle- 
ment of  Paugussett,  and  he  was  one  of  the  committee  appointed  on  the  part 
of  the  New  Haven  colony  to  effect  the  union  with  the  Connecticut  colony. 
Barnabas,  son  of  Richard,  was  born  in  1665.  About  six  hundred  acres  in  the 
south-west  part  of  Woodbridge,  which  had  been  purchased  of  an  Indian  chief 
by  his  father,  was  conveyed  to  him  by  his  brothers  and  sisters,  and  is  largely 
in  the  possession  of  his  descendants  to  the  present  day.  He  died  in  1741.  His 
son  Timothy  was  born  in  1695  and  died  in  1766.  Capt.  Timothy,  son  of  the 
above  mentioned,  was  born  Dec.  13,  1722,  in  what  was  then  Milford,  near  the 
Derby  line,  afterwards  Woodbridge.  Jan.  15,  1744,  he  was  mamed  to  Sarah 
Beecher,  who  died  in  1794.  He  was  in  1779  one  of  the  committee  to  facilitate 
the  aiTangements  to  strengthen  the  patriot  anuy.  He  lived  in  what  is  now 
Seymour,  and  in  1789  was  the  first  signer  of  the  petition  for  the  establishment 
of  the  first  religious  society  formed  in  this  place.  See  page  17.  He  had  a  slave 
Peter,  baptized  Dec.  23rd,  1790.  He  died  Dec.  22, 1800.  His  children  were 
Sarah,  b.  Apr.  11,  1746,  m.  Simeon  Wheeler  of  Derby,  Oct.  10,  1764: 
Timothy,  b.  1749,  lived  in  Derby,  d.  Aug.  30,  1822:  Thaddeus,  b.  June  22, 
1751 :  Anne,  b.  Feb.  24,  1757,  m.  Edmund  Clark  of  Derby. 

Occasionally  the  records  of  public  proceedings  seem  to  indicate  a  large 
proportion  of  the  public  men  as  residing  in  this  part  of  old  Derby.  At  the 
town  meeting  held  Dec.  10,  1764,  Daniel  Holbrook  was  chosen  moderator ; 
Charles  French,  town  clerk ;  Ashbel  Loveland  and  Abiel  Fairchild,  grand 
jurors ;  John  Howd,  one  of  the  tything  men ;  and  John  Washband,  surveyor 
of  highways.  In  1765,  (Dec.  9th,)  Daniel  Holbrook  is  again  mentioned  as 
moderator  of  the  town  meeting,  and  Gideon  and  Nathaniel  Johnson  and  John 
Basit  were  chosen  surveyors  of  highway.     Daniel  Holbrook  lived  on  Skocorat. 

The  practice  of  allowing  cattle  and  swine  to  run  at  large  on  the  common 
lands  made  necessary  some  method  of  marking,  and  each  proprietor  had  his 
"earmark"  duly  recorded.  Dr.  Josiah  Canfield's  earmark  was  a  swallow  fork 
in  the  end  of  the  left  ear.  (Entered  Mar.  27, 1769.)  Jonathan  Miles'  earmark 
was  a  swallow  fork  in  each  ear  and  a  half  penny  cut  in  the  upper  side  of  the 
right  ear.     (Entered  May  9, 1766.) 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  4a 

As  an  adjoining  town,  carved,  like  Seymour,  from  what  was  once  Derby, 
and  whose  boundary  line  has  been  changed  from  time  to  time,  so  as  to  include 
more  or  less  of  what  is  now  Seymour,  some  account  of  the  early  history  of 
Oxford  may  properly  be  inserted  here.  The  first  petition  looking  to  the  setting 
apart  of  Oxford  as  a  separate  parish  was  made  to  the  General  Assembly  in 
May,  1740.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  case,  and  in  May, 
1741,  the  petition  was  granted  in  the  following  words: 

"Whereas  upon  the  memorial  of  Timothy  Worster,  John  Twitchel  and 
John  Towner,  &c.,  dwelling  in  the  north  and  northwest  part  of  the  township 
of  Derby,  Isaac  Trowbridge,  John  Weed,  Jonas  W^eed,  Joseph  Weed,  Thomas 
and  Joseph  Osborn,  dwelling  in  the  southwest  part  of  Waterbury  woods,  in 
the  old  society  in  said  Waterbury,  and  Isaac  Knowles,  Joseph  Towner, 
Eliphalet  Bristol,  John  Tift  and  Aaron  Bristol,  dwelling  in  the  southeast  part 
of  the  township  of  Woodberry  woods  in  the  parish  of  Southbeny,  moving  to 
the  General  Assembly  holden  at  Hartford,  May,  anno  Dom.  1740,  that  they 
might  become  one  entire,  distinct  ecclesiastical  society,  and  praying  for  a 
committee,  &c.;  the  said  General  Assembly  did  appoint  a  committee,  who 
accordingly  making  then*  report  to  the  General  Assembly  at  New  Haven  in 
October  last,  and  the  same  not  being  accepted;  and  the  said  General  Assembly 
in  October  last  appointing  another  committee,  Colo.  Benjamin  Hall,  Capt. 
Isaac  Dickeniian  and  Capt.  John  Fowler,  to  view  and  report,  &c.:  And 
whereas  the  said  last  mentioned  committee  have  to  this  Assembly  made  their  re- 
port, that  according  to  the  direction  of  said  Assembly  they  have  repaired  to 
the  abovesaid  places,  &c.,  and  find  and  are  of  opinion,  that  it  is  necessary  and 
best  that  the  said  inhabitants  be  made  a  distinct,  separate  ecclesiatical  society, 
and  that  their  bounds  and  limits  be  as  folio weth :  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of 
the  four  mile  brook  in  Derby  bounds,  where  the  brook  emptieth  itself  into  the 
great  river,  and  to  run  as  said  brook  runneth  by  said  brook  unto  the  bridge 
that  is  between  the  dwelling  houses  of  Abel  Gun  and  John  Holbrook;  and 
fi'om  said  bridge  by  the  highway  that  runneth  between  the  land  commonly 
called  the  Camp's  Mortgage  and  the  land  called  Quakers  Farm  Purchase,  unto 
the  river  called  the  Little  river;  and  thence  as  the  Little  river  runneth  to  Nau- 
gatuck  river;  and  thence  northerly,  by  said  Naugatuck  river,  that  being  the  east 
bounds  of  said  society,  until  it  comes  to  the  dividing  line  between  the  towns  of 
Derby  and  Waterbury;  thence  turning  westerly  and  running  as  the  line  runneth 
between  the  towns  of  Derby  and  Waterbury,  as  aforesaid,  until  it  comes  to  the 
southeasterly  boundary  of  Thomas  and  Joseph  Osbom's  farm  in  the  bounds  of 
Derby;  and  from  thence  to  run  northerly  to  the  northeast  corner  boundary  of  Jos. 
Weed's  farm  in  Waterbury  town  bounds;  and  fi'om  thence  a  northwesterly  line 
to  the  northeast  comer  boundary  of  Isaac  Trowbridge's  farm  in  said  Waterbury 
town  bounds;  and  from  thence  to  run  westerly,  in  the  line  of  said  Trowbridge's 
farm,  about  sixty  rods,  to  Woodberry  town  line;  and  thence  to  the  northwest 
corner  of  Isaac  Knowles's  fann  in  the  township  of  Woodberry ;  and  from  the 
northwest  corner  of  said  Knowles's  fann  a  west  line  to  the  eight  mile  brook 
in  the  bounds  of  W^oodberry;  and  then  by  the  said  brook,  until  it  comes  to 
the  dividing  line  between  the  towns  of  Woodberry  and  Derby;  and  thence 
to  run  westerly  in  the  line  that  divideth  between  the  said  towns  of  Woodberry 
and  Derby,  unto  the  great  river;  thence  by  the  river  southerly  to  the  first 
mentioned  boundary,  the  mouth  of  four  mile  brook;  as  by  said  report  on  file, 
I  dated  May  the  7th,  anno  Bom.  1741." 


44  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

'■'■It  is  thereupon  resolved  by  this  Assembly,  That  the  above  said  memori- 
alists, .  inhabitants  of  Derby,  Waterbury  and  Woodberry,  situate  and  living 
within  the  bounds  and  limits  above  described,  be  and  become  together  one 
entire,  separate  and  distinct  ecclesiastical  society  or  parish,  subsisting  and 
known  by  the  name  of  the  parish  of  Oxford,  and  endowed  with  all  powers 
and  privileges  wherewith  other  parishes  within  this  government  are  by  law 
endowed." 

The  members  of  the  "Society  of  Oxford,"  as  they  termed  themselves, 
met  for  the  first  time  and  organized  June  30,  1841.  On  the  6th  of  October, 
1741,  in  meeting  lawfully  warned,  it  was  voted,  "by  a  two-thirds  part  of  the 
inhabitants  by  law  qualified  to  vote  and  present  in  meeting,  to  build  a  meet- 
ing house,  and  to  meet  the  assembly  in  their  next  session  at  New  Haven,  to 
pray  for  a  commission  to  appoint,  order  and  fix  the  place  whereon  their  meet- 
ing house  shall  be  erected  and  built."  Mr.  Ebenezer  Riggs  was  appointed 
agent  to  the  General  Assembly.    The  following  is  the  order  of  the  Assembly: 

"Upon  the  report  of  Capt.  Isaac  Dickerman,  Mr.  James  Talmadge 
and  Mr.  John  Hitchcock,  appointed  by  this  Assembly  to  afiix  the  place 
for  the  inhabitants  of  the  parish  of  Oxford  to  build  their  meeting  house 
upon,  &c.,  the  said  committee  having  viewed  their  circumstances,  and  have 
set  down  a  stake  and  laid  stones  to  the  same,  at  the  south  end  of  the  hill, 
commonly  called  Jack's  Hill,  and  near  the  highway  that  runs  on  the  east 
side  the  Little  river,  on  land  belonging  to  Ephraim  Washbourn,  which  said 
place  the  said  committee  report  to  be  the  most  convenient  place  for  the  said 
inhabitants  to  build  a  meeting  house  upon :  Resolved  by  this  Assembly,  that 
the  abovesaid  place  be  the  place  for  the  said  inhabitants  to  build  their  meeting 
house  upon ;  and  the  said  inhabitants  are  hereby  ordered  to  build  a  meeting 
house  at  the  said  place  accordingly." 

In  May,  1743,  "upon  the  prayer  of  Isaac  Trowbridge,  of  Oxford  parish, 
in  behalf  of  himself  and  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  parish,  pray- 
ing this  Assembly  that  they  may  be  allowed  to  imbody  into  a  church 
estate  and  be  impowered  and  enabled  to  settle  a  minister  according  to  the 
establishment  of  the  churches  in  this  government,  &c.:  Whereupon  it  is 
granted  by  this  Assembly,  that  the  said  parish  of  Oxford,  by  and  wiih  the 
consent  and  approbation  of  the  neighbouring  churches,  may  imbody  into 
church  estate,  and  are  hereby  allowed  and  impowered  to  proceed  to  and  settle 
a  minister  according  to  the  establishment  of  the  churches  in  this  government." 

Rev.  Johnathan  Lyman  was  ordained  minister  of  the  parish  Oct.  4, 1745, 
and  received  a  settlement  of  iSOO,  to  be  paid  in  four  yearly  installments,  and 
a  salary  of  £125  per  year.  The  next  minister  was  Rev.  David  Bronson,  from 
Milford,  called  Mar.  3rd,  1764,  with  a  settlement  of  £200  and  a  salary  of  £60. 
He  served  the  parish  forty  years,  dying  in  1806. 

The  Episcopal  parish  of  St.  Peter's  was  organized  in  1764  by  Rev. 
Richard  Mansfield,  the  rector  of  the  Derby  church.  The  first  settled  clergy- 
man of  this  parish  was  Rev.  Mr.  Prindle. 

Although  a  separate  parish  since  1741,  Oxford  was  not  incorporated  as  a 
town  until  1798.  Father  mention  will  be  made  in  connection  with  contem- 
porary events. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  45 


Ttie  Feriod.  oftlie  K,e volution. 


The  hardy  pioneers  who  had  made  their  homes  among  these  hills  and 
vales,  of  good  old  English  stock,  and,  in  part,  descendants  of  the  puritans  who 
came  over  in  the  Mayflower,  had  grown  stronger  in  their  love  of  freedom,  and 
were  prompt  to  second  the  resistance  to  the  encroachments  upon  their  liberty. 
Meetings  were  held  and  arrangements  made  to  send  men,  provisions  and 
clothing,  to  the  extent  of  their  ability,  to  the  patriot  army.  Of  necessity  the 
business  was  done  in  town  meetings,  but  the  records  show  that  those  living  in 
this  section  did  their  duty  nobly. 

As  early  as  Nov.  29th,  1774,  a  special  town  meeting  was  called  to  con- 
sider "the  doings  of  the  Reputable  Continental  Congress  held  at  Philadelphia, 
Sept.  5*^  1774,"  Daniel  Holbrook,  moderator.  They  agi'eed  that  the  proposal 
of  Congress  was  "a  wise  and  judicious  plan,"  and  resolved  that  they  would 
"faithfully  adhere  to  and  abide  by  the  association  entered  into  by  said  Con- 
gress." The  meeting  also  voted  as  follows:  "That  the  Gentlemen  hereafter 
named  be  a  Committee  to  see  the  same  carried  into  execution,  viz :  Capt. 
John  Holbrook,  M'^  Henry  Tomlinson,  Maj.  Jabez  Thompson,  M^  John  Pickit, 
Cap^  Thomas  Clark,  M^"  Abraham  Smith,  Henry  Whitney,  Cap*  Joseph  Riggs, 
Lieu*  Bradford  Steel  &  Lieu*  Ebenezer  Buckingham.  In  case  a  county  Con- 
gress should  be  agreed  upon  in  this  county,  then  the  aforesaid  committee  shall 
chuse  and  appoint  two  out  of  their  number  to  attend  such  congress.  Again 
the  town  have  taken  into  their  consideration  the  needy  &  distressed  circum- 
stances of  the  poor  of  the  Town  Boston,  by  the  operation  of  a  late  act  of  Par- 
liament blocking  up  their  Harbour,  this  Town  is  opinion  that  it  is  necessary 
and  their  duty  to  contribute  for  their  help." 

In  1777  all  male  citizens  of  lawful  age  were  required  to  take  an  oath  of 
fidelity.     Among  those  who  took  this  oath  appear  the  following  familiar  names. 
Rev.  Daniel  Humphrey,  Charles  French,   Esff,  John  Davis,  Esq'',  Thomas 
Clark,  Esq'",  Cap*  John  Holbrook,*  Agur  Tomlinson,  Joseph  Durand,  Benja- 
min Tomlinson,  Cap*  Joseph  Riggs,  Abraham  Basit,  David  DeForest,  Philo 
Johnson,  John  Coe,  Daniel  Chatiield,  Ruben  Baldwin,  Gideon  Johnson,  Nathan 
Mansfield,  Bradford  Steel,  Eleazer  Lewis,*  Ebenezer  Keeney,  Henry  Tomlin- 
son,* Turel  Whittemore,  Abraham  Beacher,  Enos  Bradley,  Johnathan  Hitch- 
'  cock,  Noah  French,  Nathaniel  French,  Samuel  French,  John  Howd,  David 
;  Johnson,  Deacon  Daniel  Holbrook,  Jn"^,  Cap*  Nathaniel  Johnson,  Abraham 
Hawkins,  Isaac  Smith,  Cap*  John  Tomlinson,  Cap*  William  Clark,  John 
Botchford,    Ashbel   Loveland,  Asahel  Johnson,  Cap*  Joseph  Lum,  Joseph 
Loveland,   Jehiel    Spencer,  Ebenezer  Johnson,  Samuel  Russell,  Zachariah 
I  Fairchild,  Freegift  Hawkins,  Edward  Howd,  Joseph  Canfield,  Silas  Baldwin, 


46  8F.YMOUE  AXD  VICINITY. 

Abijali  Hull,  Lewis  Hubbell,  Pliilo  Holbrook,  Eleazer  Wooster.     (*Specified 
in  records  as  living  on  Great  Hill.) 

At  a  town  meeting  held  Feb.  10*^,  1777,  the  following  action  was  taken: 

"Whereas  the  General  Assembly  of  this  state  at  their  sessions  at  Middle - 
town  on  the  18^''  day  of  December  last  past,  by  an  act  did  regulate  the  prices 
of  a  number  of  articles  in  s*^  act  enumerated ;  and  whereas  it  appears  to  this 
town  that  it  is  of  the  utmost  conse(iuence  to  the  Community  in  general  and 
to  this  town  in  particular  that  said  act  should  be  immediately  carried  into 
execution Voted  therefore  that  this  town  will  by  every  legal  measure  en- 
deavour to  have  the  directions  of  said  act  strictly  complyed  with,  this  town 
being  fully  sensible  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  friend  to  his  country  to  sell  &: 
dispose  of  the  articles  enumerated  in  the  act  of  assembly  hxing  the  price  of 
labour,  provisions,  &c.,  at  the  prices  at  which  they  are  therein  stated.  Therefore, 

Voted,  that  those  of  us  who  have  any  of  them  beyond  what  we  want  for 
our  own  consumption  will  readily  and  cheerfully  sell  them  either  for  money 
or  produce  at  the  price  in  said  act  stated  :  and  that  we  will  esteem  all  persons 
Avho  shall  not  do  the  same,  enemies  to  their  country,  and  treat  them  accord- 
ingly :  Provided  such  person  is  properly  convicted  thereof  before  the  Com- 
mittee of  Inspection  of  this  Town  :  whom  we  impower  to  take  cognizance  of 
such  offense." 

That  those  who  were  serving  their  country  on  the  field  of  battle  were  pro- 
vided for  by  those  who  remained  at  home,  as  far  as  their  means  would  permit, 
is  shown  by  frequent  votes  of  supplies  and  appointment  of  special  committees 
to  see  that  the  supplies  were  fm'nished.  On  the  8th  of  Dec,  1777,  John  Coe, 
David  DeForest  and  Cap'  Thomas  Clark  were  appointed  such  a  committee. 
In  Dec,  1778,  Sam^  Hull,  David  DeForest,  Abraham  Beecher,  Cap'  John 
Tomlinson,  Cap'  Timothy  Baldwin,  Cap'  John  Kiggs,  Lieu'  Samuel  Wheler, 
Sam^  Basit,  Dan'  Holbrook,  Jun'',  Cap'  Joseph  liiggs,  Ruben  Tucker,  Cap' 
Nathaniel  Johnson,  Jos  Russell,  Noah  Tomlinson,  Thomas  Clark,  I*)sq',  John 
Howd,  Cap'  John  Holbrook,  P]dward  Howd,  Thadeus  Baldwin  and  others 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  provide  clotliing  for  the  soldiers. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  Dec  28th,  1778,  it  was  voted  to  "give  to  each 
soldier  in  the  Continental  Army  that  counts  for  the  town  of  Derby  Ten  Pounds 
money  each  in  lew  of  the  linnin  overhawls,  linnin  shirts,  and  shoes  that  was 
voted  to  them  last  year  as  a  bounty,"  and  a  town  tax  was  laid  of  one  shilling- 
nine  pence  on  the  pound.  Ensign  John  Humphrey  was  appointed  to  receive 
the  money  and  to  pay  it  to  the  soldiers. 

Notwithstanding  the  excitement  caused  by  the  war  and  the  heavy  taxes 
upon  the  resources  of  the  people,  the  schools  were  not  forgotten,  as  the  fol- 
lowing documents  shoAv.  The  first  seems  to  define  a  district  in  the  western 
part  of  what  is  now  Beacon  Falls.  The  petition  was  granted  in  a  town 
meeting  Dec  1.3th,  1770. 

"Considering  the  distance  that  a  considerable  number  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  4"'  &:  5"'  districts  live  from  the  center  of  said  districts  and  the  incon- 
venience it  is  attended  with,  we  therefore  whose  names  are  under  written, 
desire  to  be  set  oft'  to  be  an  entire  District.  Signed  and  approved  by  us, 
Joseph  Davis,  Abraham  Basit,  Sam'  Smith,  Jr.,  David  Person,  John  Davis, 
John  Church,  Isaac  Beecher,  Abraham  Beecher,  Ebenezer  Riggs,  John  . 
Riggs,  Bradford  Steel,  Committee.  Beginning  at  the  Stone  Bridge  at  the 
lower  end  of  Mr.  Abraham  Basit's  Little  river  meadow,  from  thence  running- 
East  to  the  top  of  the  hill  South  of  said  Basit's,  then  running  north  with  the 
high-way  to  Capt.  Joseph  Davis'  including  said  Capt  Davis,  and  fi'om  thence 
running  East  to  the  high  way  that  runs  west  of  Tobey's  rock,  then  running 


SEYMOUR  xVXJ)  VICINITY.  47 

north  to  the  head  of  the  bounds  between  Derby  &  Waterbury,  inchidiu"-  M'* 
Abigail  Gunn's  farm,  then  running  West  with  the  line  to  Waterbury  road, 
then  running  South  with  the  road  down  to  Mr.  Miles'  barn,  then  running 
West  to  Touantick  brook,  then  running  South  with  the  brook  to  the  bridge 
over  said  Brook  Southeast  of  David  Twitchel's,  and  from  thence  southerly 
down  to  the  road  to  the  first  mentioned  bounds,  including  widow  Ruth 
Bunnell." 

The  following  seems  to  describe  what  now  constitutes  the  sub-districts  of 
Shrub  Oak  and  Bungay,  Seymour.  Petition  granted  in  a  town  meeting- 
Dec.  27th,  1779. 

"We  the  Subscribers  whose  names  are  underwritten  desire  the  town  of 
Derby  would  permit  us  to  be  formed  into  a  school  district,  to  take  in  part  of 
the  north  district  in  the  old  society,  and  part  of  the  Great  Hill,  and  part  of 
the  Riminon  District,  bounded  as  followeth,  beginning  at  the  mouth  of 
Hassekee  meadow  brook,  running  northerly  by  Naugatuck  river  till  it  comes 
to  the  upper  end  of  Long  Plain,  so  called,  then  running  westerly  to  the  north 
side  of  the  Park,  then  running  southerly  to  the  west  side  of  John  Botchford's 
farm,  then  running  southerly  to  JMr.  Joseph  Canfield's  barn,  then  running- 
southerly  to  the  highway  twenty  rods  north  of  Nehemiah  Botchford's  house, 
then  running  with  the  highway  to  Hassekee  meadow  brook,  then  running  by 
said  brook  to  the  iirst  mentioned  corner." 

Bradford  Steel,  Eunis  Pritchard,  Abra"'  Wooster, 

Ashbel  Steel,  James  Pritchard,  Jr.,  Daniel  Davis, 

Hezekiah  Woodin,  Samuel  Wooster,  Benj"  Davis, 

Ruben  Perkins,  William  Gordin,  Eben''  Keeney, 

Ranford  Whitney,  John  Botchford,  Wm.  Keeney, 

Lewis  Riggs,  Edward  Harger,  Theo"^  Miles, 

John  Wooster,  Josiah  Washband,  Jona"  Miles. 

John  Riggs,  )  ^        .,, 

John  Tomlinson,  j  (^omnuttee.. 

The  following  is  from  the  minutes  of  a  town  meeting  held  Mar.  8th,  1780. 
"The  town  by  their  voate  appoint  Capt.  Bradford  Steel  and  Mr.  Gideon  John- 
son a  committe  with  full  power  to  take  care  of  the  Indians'  Lands  in  Derby, 
and  let  out  the  same  to  the  best  advantage  for  the  support  of  said  Indians,  and 
to  take  care  that  there  be  no  wast  made  on  said  land,  and  to  render  an  ac- 
count of  their  doings  to  said  town  of  Derby."  At  the  same  meeting  it  was 
"voted  that  Abraham  Hawkins,  James  Beard,  Esq.,  Mr.  John  Humphrey, 
Capt.  Nathan  Person,  Mr.  Noah  Tomlinson,  Major  Nathan  Smith,  David 
Tomlinson,  Lieut.  Levi  Hotchkiss,  AValter  Wooster  and  Ebenezer  Warner  be 
a  committee  to  assist  the  officers  of  the  several  companies  in  the  town  of 
Derby  in  raising  their  quota  of  men  that  shall  be  requested  in  this  town  for 
the  continental  and  state  service,  at  the  expense  of  the  town,  with  discretion- 
ary orders  to  give  such  premiums  as  said  com"*'  in  their  wisdom  shall  judge 
reasonable." 

At  a  town  meeting  held  June  27th,  1780,  a  rate  of  sixpence  was  voted 
"to  pay  the  bounty  to  the  Contenental  soldiers  and  to  defray  town  charges," 
and  Capt.  John  Riggs,  Capt.  Daniel  Holbrook  and  Capt.  Bradford  Steel  were 
"appointed  a  com""^  to  enlist  contenental  soldiers  and  to  pay  them  their 
bounty." 

It  was  also  voted  "that  the  town  shall  give  each  man  that  shall  enlist 
himself  as  a  soldier  into  the  Contenental  army  during  the  war  shall  receive  of 
the  town  as  a  bounty  the  sum  of  £20,  to  be  paid  in  bills  of  credit  of  this  state 


48  SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY. 

at  the  time  the  muster,  aud  £20  pounds  at  the  commeucemeut  of  the  second 
year  of  their  service,  and  twenty  pounds  at  the  commencement  of  the  3*^ 
year  of  their  service.  And  all  such  as  shall  list  for  three  years  into  the 
contenental  army  shall  receive  in  hills  of  credit  of  this  state  i20  at  the  time 
of  passing  muster,  &  £15  at  the  commencement  of  the  2"'^  year  of  their 
service,  and  £10  at  the  commencement  of  the  S'^  year  of  their  service. 
And  also  all  such  persons  as  have  or  shall  enlist  into  the  contenental  service 
for  one  year  and  seven  mouths  from  the  date  of  these  presents  shall  receive 
£10  at  passing  muster,  and  £5  at  the  commencement  of  the  2"*^  campaign. 

By  a  vote  at- a  town  meeting  held  Nov.  13,  1780,  it  was  provided  that 
two  shirts,  two  pair  stockings,  one  pair  shoes,  and  1  pair  mittens  should  be 
sent  to  each  soldier. 

In  accordance  with  an  act  of  the  Assembly  for  collecting  and  storing  a 
quantity  of  provisions,  in  the  winter  of  1780-81,  the  following  prices  were 
allowed  for  produce  received  as  taxes,  in  lieu  of  money j  beef  of  the  best 
quality  5p.  per  pound,  merchantable  l^p.,  pork  5  and  6p.  per  pound,  wheat 
flour  24p.  per  hundred. 

In  Nov.,  1780,  "Johnathan  Hitchcock,  Capt.  Tho«  Clark,  John  Howd, 
Cap^  John  Tomlinson,  M""  Johnathan  Lum,  Jn^,  and  Lieu*  John  Basit  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  class  the  people  agreeable  to  a  late  act  of  Assembly 
for  filling  up  &  compleating  the  state's  Quotas  of  the  Contenental  Army,"  and 
measures  were  taken  to  provide  clothing  for  those  already  in  the  field.  At  a 
town  meeting  held  Dec.  11th,  1780,  the  following  committee  was  appointed 
to  take  care  of  the  soldiers'  families;  Peter  Johnson,  Joseph  Russell,  Thadeus 
Baldwin,  Daniel  Holbrook,  Isaac  Smith,  Benj.  Basit,  Jabez  Thompson, 
Christopher  Smith,  Andrew  Smith,  Johnathan  Lum,  Jn^',  John  Basit,  Josiah 
Strong,  Eobert  Wheler,  Isaac  Beecher,  Ebenezer  ,Johnson,  Abiel  Fairchild, 
Jn'  and  Noah  Tomlinson, 

Emancipation.  At  the  same  meeting  it  was  "Voted  that  the  authority 
and  selectmen  be  impowered  and  directed  to  give  certificates  to  Capt.  Daniel 
Holbrook  and  Capt.  John  Wooster  to  free  and  emancipate  their  servants,  Negro 
men,  on  the  condition  that  the  said  negro  men  inlist  into  the  State  Eig*  to  be 
raised  for  the  defense  of  this  state,  for  the  town,  one  year."  At  a  town  meet- 
ing held  in  1781  it  was  voted  that  the  selectmen  give  to  the  Rev'*  David 
Humphreys  a  certificate  or  liberty  to  manumit  his  servants,  Cambridge  aud 
Cate  his  wife. 

In  April,  1781,  the  town  was  called  on  for  men  for  the  post  of  Horseneck, 
and  the  selectmen  were  empowered  to  provide  horses  and  accoutrements  for 
the  service. 

In  March,  1782,  some  who  had  been  called  on  for  service  in  the  army 
were  released  on  payment  of  Fifty  pounds  and  the  required  number  of  soldiers 
for  one  year  were  obtained  by  the  oft'er  of  bounties.  A  tax  of  two  })ence  on 
the  pound  was  laid  to  pay  the  bounties.  George  Beard  was  chosen  collector 
for  the  Great  Hill  Society,  and  with  Micah  Pool  was  to  be  a  committee  to 
enlist  the  number  of  soldiers  required.  Cap*  Nathaniel  Johnson  was  ap- 
pointed collector  for  the  old  Society  and  with  Cap*  Daniel  Holbrook  consti- 
tuted the  committee  of  enlistment.  Abraham  Beecher  was  appointed  collect- 
or in  Oxford  Society  aud  Cap*  Ebenezer  Eiggs  was  associated  with  him  as 
enlisting  committee.  At  a  later  meeting  Ebenezer  Plant  was  appointed  to 
assist  in  the  Oxford  Society.  There  were,  here  as  elsewhere  throughout  the 
colonies,  some  who  believed  that  they  owed  first  aud  indissoluble  allegiance 
to  King  George  III.  Except  these '"loyalists,"  those  who  could  best  leave 
home  had  freely  volunteered  early   in   the  contest,   and  now  those  who  re- 


GEN.  DAVID  HUMPHREYS. 


SEYMOUR  A^D  VICINITY.  49 

mained,  as  freely  contributed  of  their  scanty  means  to  fill  tlie  quota  needed 
to  secure  the  final  victory. 

The  names  of  those  who  served  their  country  on  the  field  of  battle  are 
not  all  now  to  be  found,  but  so  many  as  can  be  gleaned  from  old  manuscripts 
and  records  are  given  below. 

Gen.  David  Humphreys^  son  of  Rev.  Daniel  Humphreys,  was  born  in 
Derby  in  1752.  As  a  boy  he  was  passionately  fond  of  books,  and  in  1767  he 
entered  college  at  the  early  age  of  fifteen,  graduating  with  distinguished  honor. 
Dming  his  college  course  he  earned  the  title  of  "the  young  bard  of  Yale." 
As  a  poet  he  graced  the  progress  of  freedom  and  the  pathways  of  liberty  with 
the  flowers  of  his  pen,  and  in  this  way  helped  to  fire  the  hearts  of  patriots  and 
hasten  the  growth  of  that  public  opinion  which  culminated  in  the  establishment 
of  our  republic.  After  a  short  residence  in  New  York  he  returned  to  New 
Haven  county,  and  before  joining  the  army  in  1778,  he  wrote  many  poetic 
etfusions,  one  of  which  was  addressed  to  his  friends  in  Yale  College,  of  which 
the  following  lines  are  a  specimen. 

"Adieu,  then,  Yale  !  where  youthful  poets  dwell. 
No  more  1  linger  by  thy  classic  stream — 
Inglorious  ease  and  sportive  songs.  Farewell! 
Thou  startling  clarion,  break  the  sleeper's  dream." 

He  entered  the  army  as  captain  and  in  1778  had  been  promoted  as  aid 
to  Gen.  Putnam  with  the  rank  of  Major.  Two  years  later  he  was  appointed 
aid  to  General  Washington,  which  position  he  retained  during  tlie  war,  enjoy- 
ing the  full  confidence  of  the  Commander-in-chief,  and  sharing  his  toil  and 
danger.  When  the  army  of  Cornwallis  laid  down  their  arms  at  Yorktown, 
Oct.  19th,  1781,  Humphreys  had  the  honor  to  receive  the  English  colors  and 
as  a  mark  of  approbation  was  dispatched  to  Congress  "with  copies  of  the  returns 
of  prisoners,  arms,  ordnance,  etc.,  and  twenty-five  stands  of  colors,  surrendered," 
with  a  letter  from  Washington  warmly  commending  Col.  Humphreys  to  the 
thanks  and  consideration  of  the  government  for  his  valor,  fidelity  and  signal 
services.  In  November  following  he  was  voted  an  elegant  sword  in  the  "name 
of  the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled,"  and  in  1786  it  was  presented  by 
Gen.  Knox,  then  Secretary  of  War,  with  imposing  ceremonies.  Congress 
also  commissioned  him  Lieut.  Colonel,  dating  back  his  commission  to  his  ap- 
pointment as  aid  to  Washington.  In  1784  he  embarked  for  France  in  company 
with  the  brave  but  unfortunate  Kosciusko;  having  on  the  appointment  of 
Mr.  Jefterson  as  ambassador  to  France,  been  appointed  Secretary  of  Legation. 
In  1786  he  returned  to  America  and  revisited  the  scenes  of  his  youth. 

Soon  after  his  return,  he  was  elected  by  his  fellow  citizens  to  be  their 
representative  in  the  legislature  of  the  State,  and  continued  to  be  elected  for 
two  years,  when  he  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  regiment  raised  for 
the  western  service.  During  the  period  that  he  held  his  office,  he  remained 
most  of  the  time  in  Hartford ;  and,  with  Hopkins,  Barlow  and  Trumbull,  as- 
sisted in  the  publication  of  the  Anarchiad.  On  the  reduction  of  his  regiment, 
he  repaired  to  Mount  Vernon,  and  continued  with  Gen.  Washington  until 
1790,  when  he  received  the  appointment  of  Minister  to  the  court  of  Portugal, 
where  he  resided  seven  years.  He  was  then  appointed  Minister  to  Spain,  in 
which  position  he  continued  until  1802.  He  married  a  Spanish  lady  and  thus 
added  to  his  influence  and  rendered  easier  a  project  he  had  formed  for  the 
benefit  of  his  native  land.  Knowing  the  superiority  of  Spanish  wool,  he  planned 
to  export  some  of  the  unrivalled  Merino  sheep  to  the  United  States,  and  in 
this  he  succeeded,  though  at  great  risk  and  cost,  inasmuch  as  the  Spanish  laws 
forbade  the  exportation  by  stringent  laws.    He  obtained  permission  to  purchase 


50  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY, 

four  hundred  Merinos  in  the  mountain  pastures  of  Estremadura  and  employing 
shepherds,  drove  them  to  the  coast  by  night,  remaining  secreted  by  day. 
During  this  trip  and  the  voyage  to  America  the  number  was  rapidly  reduced, 
so  that  when  lauded  at  Derby  dock  they  numbered  only  about  one  hundred. 
This  was  the  first  importation  of  Merino  sheep  into  the  United  States.  Gen. 
Humphreys  then  erected  the  first  woolen  factory  in  the  United  States  in  the 
village  which  took  his  name — Humphreysville — and  in  connection  with  which 
the  labor  of  his  later  years  will  be  spoken  of  at  length. 

Capt.  Ehenezer  Dayton  was  one  of  the  brave  privateersmen  of  the  Sound, 
who  annoyed  the  transports  and  boats  of  the  tories  and  the  British  admiral 
offered  a  large  bounty  for  his  head  and  that  of  Caleb  Brewster,  his  cousin.  Fear- 
ing to  leave  his  family  at  their  home  in  Brookhaven,  L.  I.,  he  brought  them 
across  the  Sound  to  Milford.  After  remaining  there  a  while,  as  a  further  precau- 
tion, he  removed  them  to  Bethany  hill  inWoodbridge.  The  robbery  of  the  house 
occupied  by  Mrs.  Dayton  at  that  place  by  a  British  company  and  a  band  of 
tories  is  well  described  at  length  by  Eev.  Israel  Warren  in  the  book  entitled 
"Chauncey  Judd."  Soon  after  the  Eevolution  Capt.  Dayton  removed  to 
Chusetown,  where  he  opened  a  tavern,  afterward  the  home  for  a  time  of  Gen. 
Humphreys  while  he  was  establishing  his  woolen  factory.  Capt.  Dayton,  early 
seeing  the  advantage  to  his  public  house  of  a  more  direct  communication  with 
Waterbury  and  the  towns  above,  set  about  the  project  of  opening  the  Dug 
Eoad,  which  was  finished  about  the  beginning  of  the  present  century.  Being 
of  a  restless  disposition,  he,  after  a  while,  undertook  an  enterprise  in  Louisiana, 
where  he  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life. 

Capt.  Raymond  Sanfordj  died  in  March,  1805,  aged  53  years.    _S/. 

Lieut.  Jabez  Pritchard,  who  enlisted  in  July,  1777,  under  Capt.  Corris, 
in  the  regiment  of  Col.  Enos,  was  in  command  of  the  guard  at  Horseneck  and 
afterward  under  the  command  of  Major  Humphreys  near  Fort  Independence. 
In  the  conflict  which  occm'red  there,  Lieut.  Pritchard,  with  others,  was  taken 
prisoner  and  confined,  first  at  King's  Bridge,  then  in  New  York,  and  afterward 
on  a  prison-ship  in  the  North  Eiver. '  His  commission  was  taken  fi'om  him 
by  his  inhuman  captors  and  he  was  so  ill  treated  that — like  most  of  the  other 
prisoners  on  that  infamous  ship — he  survived  but  a  short  time.  His  generous 
character  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he  might  have  escaped  being 
taken  prisoner  but  that  he  would  not  abandon  a  wounded  comrade,  and  that 
he  afterward  divided  his  funds  with  a  fellow  prisoner,  to  which  act  of  liberality 
Bradford  Steel  ascribed  his  own  recovery  by  means  of  the  decent  provision 
and  comforts  which  he  was  thus  enabled  to  purchase. 

Bradford  Steel,  son  of  Capt.  Bradford  Steel,  born  in  1761,  enlisted 
July  10,  1777,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  under  Capt.  Corris,  regiment  of  Col. 
Enos.  Tho  company  was  at  first  stationed  at  Horseneck,  but  was  soon  after 
ordered  to  join  a  branch  of  the  continental  army  under  the  command  of  Maj. 
Humphreys.  They  marched  to  Peekskill  and  there  joined  the  army  and 
marched  to  West  Chester,  about  2,000  strong  and  having  two  pieces  of 
artillery.  At  the  battle  near  Fort  Independence,  (General  Varnum,  com- 
manding oflicer,)  Steel,  with  Lieut.  Pritchard  and  others,  were  taken  prisc»n- 
ers.  One  of  the  number  becoming  deranged  under  his  sufferings,  the  British 
soldiers  beat  him  with  their  muskets,  then  tied  him  on  a  horse,  took  him  to 
King's  Bridge  and  threw  him  over,  leaving  him  with  his  head  and  shoulders 
buried  in  the  mud.  At  night  Steel  and  thirteen  companions  were  placed  in 
a  small  tent  guarded  by  Hessian  soldiers,  and  if  any  one  pressed  out  the  tent 
cloth  he  was  sure  to  feel  the  prick  of  a  bayonet.     Next  day  they  were  taken 


SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY.  51 

to  the  Sugar  House,  where  most  of  the  prisoners  had  nothing  to  eat  for  three 
or  four  days.  They  were  then  allowed  four  ounces  each  of  wormy  sea  biscuit 
and  four  ounces  of  Irish  pork  daily. 

About  the  1st  of  December  they  were  put  on  board  a  ship  in  the  North 
Eiver.  After  fifteen  days  the  small  pox  broke  out.  Steel  and  twenty-five 
others  were  taken  to  the  hospital,  where  they  had  so  little  care  that  only  four 
of  the  number  survived.  Steel  saw  one  man  with  his  feet  so  frozen  that 
after  a  time  they  dropped  oif  at  the  ankles.  One  day  while  Steel  was  im- 
prisoned at  the  Sugar  House,  a  well  known  tory  came  along  and  was  all  allow- 
ed by  the  guard  to  pass  in.  The  prisoners  seized  him,  dragged  him  to  the 
pump,  and  the  old  pump  handle  went  up  and  down  in  fine  style  until  he  was 
thoroughly  drenched.  He  was  then  allowed  to  run,  the  prisoners  saying 
good-bye  to  him  with  a  shower  of  brickbats.  Aug.  8, 1778,  the  few  survivors 
received  tidings  that  they  were  to  be  exchanged.  Said  Steel,  "On  the  next 
day  Ave  were  called  out  and  paraded  in  the  prison  yard.  To  behold  such  a 
company  of  living  skeletons,  one  might  almost  imagine  that  the  prophecy 
concerning  the  dry  bones  had  been  fulfilled  in  us."  Aug.  IGth,  they  landed 
at  Elizabethtown  Point,  and  were  marched  to  the  meeting  house  where  the 
exchange  was  eifected.  Steel  and  three  others  who  were  too  much  reduced 
by  their  sickness  and  suiferiugs  to  be  capable  of  farther  military  service,  were 
discharged  and  returned  home.  Steel  recovered  his  health  after  some  months 
and  was  for  many  years  a  highly  respected  citizen  of  Humphreysville,  and 
deacon  of  the  Congregational  Society,  dying  Dec.  24,  1811,  aged  80  years. 

John  White,  son  of  Daniel  White,  died  Feb.  19th,  1830,  aged  73.     C. 

Leach,  fought  under  Washington  seven  years,  was  several  times 

badly  wounded.     M. 

Ahram  Bassett,  died  Nov.  17th,  1853,  aged  81  years.     E. 

Theophilus  Miles ^  died  1822,  aged  83  years.     E. 

Truman  Loveland.    E. 

Sergt.  James  Baldwin. 

Jesse  Baldwin,  brother  to  above. 

Isaac  Johnson,  son  of  Benajali,  died  April  10th,  1813,  aged  78.     M. 

Ezra  Butler,  afterward  lived  in  the  house  now  standing  in  the  rear  of 
the  house  of  Sheldon  Tucker. 

Ball. 

Jethro  Martin,  colored,  Gen.  Humphrey's  servant,  died  in  North  Haven. 
Received  a  pension  from  the  government  until  his  death. 

Joseph  Mauwehu,  (Chuse.) 


Fhineas  Johnson,  from  Pinesbridge. 

Nathaniel  Johnson,  from  Pinesbridge,  drafted,  served  till  the  close  of 
the  war. 

Linus  Lounshury,  of  Nyumphs,  was  a  soldier  in  the  last  French  War 
and  in  the  Eevolution. 

C — Buried  in  the  Congregational  Cemetery ;    ^—Episcopal  Cemetery ;    J/— Methodist  Cemetery. 


52  SEYMOUR  AND  VlCHsTITY. 

The  memorandum  of  Lieut,  Jabez  Pritchard,  who  was  taken  prisoner 
with  Bradford  Steel  and  others,  and  died  on  board  the  prison  ship,  was  brought 
home  by  Steel,  and  contains  the  list  of  guards  detailed  at  Horseneck  from 
Sept.  15*^  to  21®*.  Most  of  the  company  were  probably  from  this  immediate 
vicinity.    The  names  are 


Gideon  Ailing, 
Samuel  Andress, 
Abraham  Barns, 
Nathaniel  Black, 
Edward  Bassett, 
David  Blakesley, 
Corp.  Bristol, 
Coi*p.  Oandee, 
Oliver  Chatfield, 
Caleb  Chatfield, 
Eeuben  Canfield, 
Martin  Clark, 
George  Clark, 
Chauncey  Clark, 
Amos  Collins, 
Johnathan  Cartright, 
Jairus  Congdon, 
Joseph  Deremore, 
George  Dachester, 
Samuel  Durand, 
Ebenezer  Durand, 


Isaac  Durand, 
Vespation  Eastman, 
Corp.  Foot, 
Amos  Fox, 
Joseph  Hulse, 
Johnathan  Lyman, 
James  Leech, 
James  Lines, 
Nathan  Mallory, 
Major  Morriss, 
Abraham  Murray, 
Asahel  Newel, 
Ensign  Osborn, 
Lieut.  Pierson, 
Noah  Peck, 
John  Prindle, 
Jabez  Pritchard, 
John  Priestly, 
Oliver  Root, 
Joseph  Sanford, 


Philo   Sperry, 

Jabin  Sperry, 

Job  Sperry, 
Alexander  Sperry, 
Johnathan  Sperry, 
Corp.  Smith, 
Wm.  Smith, 
Lieut.  Steel, 
John  Swift, 
Wm.  Toralinson, 
Thomas  Torrance, 
Adam  Vose, 
David  Whittemore, 
Samuel  Wood, 
Hezekiah  Wooding, 
Eli  Washband, 
Aaron  Webster, 
Bowers  Washburn, 

married  the  widow  of  David 

Wheeler,  who  died  in  the 

revolutionary  service. 

James  Yatman. 


That  those  who  had  sacrificed  so  much  for  freedom  were  prompt  in  more 
peaceful  times  to  frame  aright  the  new  government  may  be  seen  from  the 
following  resolution,  adopted  Oct.  8th,  1787 : 

"Resolved  that  this  Town  will  instruct,  and  that  it  does  hereby  instruct 
its  representatives  in  the  General  assembly  to  use  their  influence  to  have  a 
Convention  called  as  speedily  as  possible  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  con- 
sideration the  Constitution  proposed  by  the  Federal  Convention,  agreeable  to 
the  recommendation  of  Congress ;  in  hopes  that  the  business  may  be  entered 
upon  at  an  early  period  by  the  Legislature.    Voted  and  passed  unanimously." 

Cap*  Daniel  Holbrook  and  Cap*  John  Holbrook  were  appointed  the  dele- 
gates to  the  State  Convention. 


A  lottery  was  established  in  1782  by  authority  of  the  Town  of  Derby  to 
defray  the  expense  of  a  highway  from  Derby  to  Woodbury,  by  the  House- 
tunnock  river  and  Wesquantuc  or  Rock  House  Hill  Purchase,  the  cost  not  to 
exceed  1500.  Capt.  Thomas  Clark  and  Daniel  Holbrook  were  to  petition 
the  General  Assembly  for  its  consent  and  approval.  John  Humphrey  and 
Lieut  Joseph  Riggs  were  appointed  to  lay  out  the  road.  Tlie  same  year 
Ashbel  Loveland  was  appointed  to  build  a  bridge  over  the  Naugatuck  "below 
the  tails." 


SEJTMOUR  and  vicinity.  53 

Amity,  embracing  the  present  towns  of  Woodbridge  and  Bethany,  was 
constituted  a  parish  in  October,  1739,  in  the  following  words : 

Whereas  upon  the  memorial  of  Ebenezer  Beecher,  Jasper  Gunn,  and 
the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  the  town  of  New  Haven  called 
Chestnut  Hill,  and  also  of  Barnabas  Baldwin,  Joel  Northrop  and  others,  to 
the  number  ot  fifteen,  living  on  the  northerly  bounds  of  Milford,  moving  to 
the  General  Assembly  at  New  Haven  in  October  last  that  they  might  become 
one  entire  distinct  parish,  and  praying  for  a  committee,  &c.,  the  said  General 
Assembly  did  appoint  a  committee,  who  accordingly  making  their  report  to 
the  General  Assembly  at  Hartford  in  May  last,  and  the  same  not  being  ac- 
cepted; and  the  said  General  Assembly  in  May  last  appointing  another  com- 
mittee, {viz.)  Messrs.  William  Gould,  William  Ward  and  Joseph  Thompson, 
to  view  and  report,  &c. :  And  whereas  the  said  last  mentioned  committee 
have  to  this  Assembly  made  their  report,  that  according  to  the  direction  of 
the  said  Assembly  they  have  repaired  to  the  above  said  places,  &c.,  and  find 
and  are  of  opinion  that  they,  the  above  said  inhabitants  and  farms,  are  able 
and  sufficient  to  support  parish  charges,  and  that  their  bounds  and  limits 
ought  to  be  as  follows,  viz :  The  north  bounds  in  part  upon  the  line  between 
New  Haven  and  Wallingford,  so  far  as  from  New  Haven  north-west  bounds 
easterly  to  the  West  Rocks  till  it  comes  down  to  the  south  side  of  Samuel 
Baldwin's  land;  thence  westerly  to  the  highway  at  the  end  of  Speny's 
Farms  ;  thence  southerly,  keeping  said  highway  that  leads  up  the  gi'eat  hill 
to  Darby  road  ;  then  southerly  at  the  rear  of  Westfield  lots  or  second  division 
lots ;  then  southerly  till  it  comes  to  the  south  side  of  Capt.  Isaac  Johnson's 
farm  ;  then  westwardly,  betAveen  said  Johnsons  and  that  which  was  formerly 
Jeremiah  Osborn's  farm,  to  Milford  east  line;  then  westwardly  to  a  cross 
highway ;  then  keeping  said  highway  to  the  south-east  corner  of  Hogs 
Meadow  Purchase,  so  called,  in  Milford;  then  westerly  with  the  south  line 
of  Hogs  Meadow  Purchase,  to  the  partition  line  between  Milford  and  Derby  ; 
then  northerly,  in  said  partition  line,  to  Lebanon  brook,  so  called ;  then  east- 
erly by  said  Lebanon  brook  to  New  Haven  line ;  then  northerly  in  said  line 
between  New  Haven  and  Milford  till  it  comes  to  New  Haven  north-west 
corner  bounds  aforesaid ;  excluding  the  lands  in  said  Milford  on  the  race  be- 
tween New  Haven  line  and  Hogs  Meadow  Purchase  from  the  aforesaid  south 
bounds  of  the  same,  north  to  Derby  road ;  aud  the  lands  of  Fletcher  Newton 
and  John  Hind  in  said  Hogs  Meadow  Purchase,  and  Ephraim  Gillett  and 
his  estate ;  and  also  exclusive  of  Samuel  Sperry,  Joshua  Sperry  and  Jona- 
than Sperry,  with  their  estates  in  New  Haven  bounds  ;  as  per  said  report  on 
file,  dated  October  sixth,  1738,  doth  appear : 

It  is  thereKpon  resolved  by  this  Assembly,  That  the  above  said  memo- 
rialists, inhabitants  of  New  Haven  and  Milford  situated  and  living  within 
the  bounds  and  limits  above  described,  exclusive  of  the  persons  and  estates 
above  in  said  connnittee's  report  exempted  and  excluded,  as  also  exclusive  of 
the  lands  of  Capt.  John  Kiggs,  Samuel  Eiggs  and  Joseph  Riggs,  lying 
withm  the  bounds  of  Milford,  be  and  become  together  one  entire,  separate 
and  distinct  society  or  parish,  subsisting  and  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Parish  of  Amity,  and  endowed  with  all  powers  and  privileges  wherewith 
other  parishes  within  this  government  are  by  law  endowed."  Col.  Records, 
Vol.  8,  pages  201-2. 

Woodbridge  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  1784,  and  was  named  from. 
Rev.  Benjamin  Woodbridge,  the  first  clergyman,  who  was  ordained  in  1742. 
This  town  has  a  fund  of  about  five  thousand  dollars,  given  by  Mr.  Stephen 


54  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

Sanford,  avIio  it  appears  was  a  firm  friend  to  the  American  cause  during  tlie 
Revolution.  His  will  read  thus :  "I  also  give  to  the  society  of  Amity,  in  the 
town  of  New  Haven,  for  the  support  of  a  Presbyterian  or  Congregational 
minister,  in  said  society,  he  being  a  friend  to  this,  and  the  United  States  of 
America,  after  my  wife's  estate  therein  shall  be  ended,"  &c. 

Rev.  Daniel  Humphreys,  the  father  of  General  David  Humphreys,  for 
fifty-four  years  the  established  minister  of  the  First  Society,  died  in  1787. 
The  follwing  is  a  copy  of  the  inscription  on  his  monument  in  the  old  Derby 
burying  ground: 

The  Kevd.  Daniel  Humphreys  died  Sept.  2d,  1787,  in  the  81st  year  of  liis  age.  For  more  than 
half  a  century  he  was  the  established  minister  of  the  first  Society  in  this  town.  Mrs.  Sarah  Huuipbreys, 
the  atlectionate  wife  of  his  youth,  and  the  tender  companion  of  his  advanced  age,  died  July  'J9th,  1 787 , 
just  five  weeks  before  him. 

The  seasons  thus 

As  ceaseless  round  a  jarring  world  they  roll, 

Still  find  them  happy  ;  and  consenting  spring 

Sheds  her  own  rosy  garlands  on  their  heads: 

Till  evening  comes  at  last  serene  and  mild, 

M^hen  after  the  long  vernal  day  of  Life 

Enamour'd  more  as  more  remembrance  swells 

With  many  a  proof  of  recollected  love. 

Together  down  they  sink  in  social  sleep, 

Together  freed  their  gentle  spirits  fly. 

To  scenes  where  love  and  bliss  immortal  reign. 

In  1789  the  Congregational  Society  was  formed  by  the  withdrawal  of 
twenty-six  persons  from  the  Congregational  church  in  Derby,  as  narrated  in 
the  account  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Seymour,  on  pages  10  and  17  of 
this  book.  Capt.  Timothy  Baldwin  was  the  first  deacon  of  the  new  society 
and  Levi  Tomlinson  the  next.  The  latter  lived  in  the  house  on  the  Ansonia 
road  now  owned  by  Judge  Bronson.  After  losing  three  children  he  moved 
to  Ohio.     The  third  deacon  was  Bradford  Steel,  Jun. 

The  first  mention  on  record  of  any  action  leading  to  the  incorporation  of 
the  parish  of  Oxford  as  a  separate  town  is  in  the  record  of  a  town  meeting  held 
Dec.  28th,  1789: — Doct''  Edward  Carrington  and  M'"  Shadrac  Osborn  were 
appointed  a  com"*^  to  take  into  consideration  all  the  circumstances  of  the  town 
respecting  Oxford  being  made  into  a  town. 

In  1791  the  first  Methodist  sermon  in  this  vicinity  was  preached  by  Rev. 
Jesse  Lee  and  from  that  time  meetings  continued  to  be  held  in  the  open  air, 
in  school-houses,  and  in  dwelling  houses,  until  1818. 

At  this  time  there  was  a  gristmill  at  the  mouth  of  Little  River,  known 
as  "Baldwin's  Mill."  The  owner  was  Isaac  Baldwin,  a  man  of  strong  re- 
ligious opinions  and  an  unwearying  student  of  the  Scriptures.  The  Bible  was 
kept  near  at  hand  and  when  the  mill  did  not  require  his  attention  he  improved 
his  leisure  in  conning  the  sacred  pages.  William  Kelly,  of  Litchfield,  who 
was  then  a  boy  of  eight  or  nine,  living  with  his  parents  above  Pinesbridge, 
said  that  when  he  came  on  horseback  to  the  mill  he  would  frequently  find 
Mr.  Baldwin  reading  his  bible.  One  day  in  the  winter  of  179-  he  went  down 
in  the  wheelpit  to  chop  away  the  ice  and  was  killed  by  the  sudden  starting  of 
the  wheel.  His  remains  were  interred  in  Milton  Parish,  Litchfield.  His 
children  were  named  Isaac,  Esther,  Sarah,  and  Eunice. 

Bezaleel  Peck  owned  the  farm  where  Naaman  Peck's  house  was  since 
built.     He  was  one  of  the  early  Methodists. 

Samuel  Sauford,  from  Bethany,  was  the  first  physician  who  located  here. 
The  following  petition,  in  which  he  represented  Chusetown,  was  granted  at  a 
town  meeting  held  Jan.  7th,  1793  : 

"To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Derby  in  Town  Meeting  assembled, 
sir*,  we  the  subscribers,  of  s''  Derby,  Physicians,  humbly  beg  liberty  of  said  '. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  55 

town  that  we  may  have  liberty  to  set  up  the  Enoculation  of  the  Small  Pox 
in  s*^  Town,  as  there  is  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  Town  that  have  and 
now  are  going  into  other  towns  for  s"^  purpose,  and  the,  yongue  people  much 
exposed  to  have  it  the  natural  way  if  not  enoculated,  &  we  beg  leave  to  sug- 
gest whether  it  be  not  for  the  advantage  of  this  town  to  save  as  much  of  the 
money  in  the  town  as  may  be,  and  your  Petitioners  are  willing  to  be  under 
any  restrictions  as  shall  be  thought  reasonable,  and  are  likewise  of  opinion 
that  they  can  enoculate  as  cheap  if  not  cheaper  than  is  done  by  other  Phy- 
sicians in  other  Towns.  EDWARD  CRAFTS, 

SAMUEL  SANFORD, 
Derby,  Dec.  10th,  1792.  LIBERTY  KIMBERLY. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  report  relative  to  the  incorporation  of  the 
town  of  Oxford  accepted  in  a  town  meeting  held  Feb.  4th,  1793.  Pages 
203-204,  Derby  Records,  B.,  M.,  D.  &  T.  P." 

To  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Derby  to  be  assembled  in  a  meeting 
of  s*^  town  to  be  held  at  the  town  house  in  s*^*  Derby,  on  Monday,  the  4*^'  day 
of  Feb-^'  instant — we  the  subscribers,  com^'**  appointed  at  a  meeting  of  s*^  town 
on  Monday,  the  7th  day  of  Jan>'  last,  to  go  out  and  view  the  circumstances 
and  situation  of  s*^  town  respecting  a  division  thereof,  and  to  ascertain  ceitain 
boundaries  and  lines  for  s*^  division,  and  also  to  to  take  into  consideration  the 
expense  or  burden  of  s*^  town,  and  all  matters  relating  to  s'^  division,  and  to 
report  our  opinion  thereon,  beg  leave  to  report ; — That  we  have  attended  to 
s*^  business  and  mutually  agreed  on  the  following  boundaries  and  lines  of  a 
division  of  s^  town,  viz : — beginning  fifty  rods  above  the  mouth  of  Eight 
Mile  Brook  by  Ousatonic  River,  from  thence  running  north-easterly  to  the 
bend  in  Five  Mile  Brook  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  fi-om  thence  running  by  s'' 
Brook  to  the  bridge  over  s*^  Brook  in  Woodbury  old  road,  from  thence  to  the 
south-east  corner  of  Timothy  Johnson's — formerly  Abner  Johnson's — dwelling 
house,  from  theuce  a  due  east  course  to  the  Little  River,  from  thence  by  said 
River  to  the  mouth  where  it  empties  into  Naugatuck  River,  from  thence 
crossing  s'^  Naugatuck  River  to  the  eastern  shore,  fi'om  thence  running  up  by 
said  River  on  the  east  side  of  s*^  River  to  the  mouth  of  the  brook  at  the 
lower  end  of  old  Rimmon  Plain,  ft'om  thence  to  the  end  of  the  hill  on  the 
north-easterly  side  of  s'^  brook  at  the  lower  end  of  s'^  Plain  called  Pessemire 
Hill,  from  thence  on  the  ridge  of  s*^  Rock  to  the  upper  end  of  s'^  brook,  from 
thence  a  due  east  course  to  the  Woodbridge  line.  Also  agreed  that  all  land 
on  either  side  of  s*^  line  where  lands  are  divided  by  s^^  lines  shall  be  put  into 
the  List  in  either  of  the  towns  where  the  owner  thereof  resides  so  long  as  the 
present  owners  shall  possess  the  same.  And  it  is  further  agreed  that  Oxford 
or  the  new  proposed  town  shall  support  one-half  of  the  Falls  Bridge,  so  long 
as  the  present  bridge  shall  stand ;  and  when  the  present  bridge  will  not  an- 
swer to  repair  and  it  is  necessary  that  a  new  bridge  to  be  built,  then  Oxford 
or  the  s*^  new  town  shall  at  their  own  expense,  build  a  good  and  sufficient  new 
bridge  where  s'^  bridge  now  stands,  to  the  acceptance  of  s'^  town  of  Derby. 
And  it  is  further  agreed  that  any  persons  living  near  said  line  on  either  side 
where  the  line  divided  their  land  shall  have  their  choice  on  which  town  they 
will  belong,  provided  they  make  their  choice  in  one  year  afters'^  division,  and 
shall  belong  where  they  enter  ther  List  the  first  year  after  s'*  division.  And 
it  is  further  agreed  that  when  a  division  of  s*^  town  shall  be  completed,  the 
poor  of  s^  town  of  Derby  shall  be  divided  to  each  town,  and  all  other  bur- 
dens which  may  arise  in  consequence  of  any  existing  circumstances,  shall  be 


56 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 


equally  borne  by  eacli  of  said  towns  if  divided  according  to  the  List  of  each 
town.     All  of  which  is  submitted  bv  vour  most  humble  sei-vants. 

SAMi  HULL, 


Dated,  Derby,  Feby  A'^,  A.  D.,  179.3. 


DANIEL  HOLBROOK, 
THOMAS  CLARK, 
CALEB  CANDE, 
JOSIAH  STRONG, 
LEMAN  STRONG, 


I 


Leveret  Pritchard,  son  of  Sergt.  Leveret  Pritchard,  who  perished  in  the 
war  of  the  revolution,  was  a  sergeant  of  the  8th  Company  of  the  o2i\d  Regi- 
ment of  Connecticut  militia  in  1793.     Following  is  a  copy  of  his  commission. 

Daniel  Holbrook,  Esq'',  Lieu*  Col°  Commandant  of  the  Thirty  Second 
Regiment  of  Militia  in  the  State  of  Connecticut  in  America. 

To  Leveret  Pritchard,  Greeting:  You  being  nominated  by  the  Eighth 
Company  or  train  band  in  said  Reg*  to  be  a  Serg*  in  S'^  Company;  Reposing 
special  trust  and  confidence  in  your  fidelity,  courage  and  good  conduct,  I  do 
by  virtue  of  the  Laws  of  this  State  me  thereunto  enabling,  appoint  and  im  - 
power  you  to  take  S*^  Company  into  your  care  as  one  of  their  Serg**  and 
carefully  and  diligently  to  discharge  that  trust,  exercising  your  inferior  officers 
and  soldiers  in  the  use  of  their  arms  according  to  the  discipline  of  war  ordained 
by  this  State,  keeping  them  in  good  order  and  commanding  them  to  obey  you 
as  their  Serg*,  and  you  are  to  observe  all  orders  and  directions  as  from  time  to 
time  you  shall  receive  from  one  or  other  your  superior  officers  pursuant  to  the 
trust  hereby  reposed  in  you,  and  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant.  Given 
under  my  Hand  in  Derbv,  the  2"<i  day  of  May,  A.  D.,  1793. 

DANIEL  HOLBROOK. 

Following  is  the  roll  of  the  company  fi-om  the  list  left  by  Lieut.  Pritchard. 
The  marked  X  were  crossed  oif  on  account  of  death,  removal  to  other  towns,  etc. 


Ahira  Anderson,  X 
Isaac  Baldwin,  X 
Elias  Baldwin, 
Jesse  Baldwin, 
Silas  Baldwin, 
Samuel  Bartist, 
David  Beach,  X 
William  Beard, 
Rubin  Blake,  X 
Henry  Carpenter, 
John  Church  Caftrin, 
flohn  Churchel, 
Timothy  Churchel,  X 
Amos  Clark, 
Elias  Clark, 
Levy  Clark, 
Rufus  Clark,  X 
Hezekiah  (.Mark,  Jun.. 
Abel  Church, 
William  Church, 
Worrin  Cridenton, 
Sheldon  Davis, 
Asey  French, 
Enoch  French, 
Jeremiah  Grissell, 


Simeon  Gunn, 
Jonah  Harden, 
eloseph  Hawkings, 
Samuel  B.  Hine, 
William  Hine, 
Chancy  Johnson, 
David  Johnson, 
Elijah  Johnson, 
Levy  Johnson,  X 
Timothy  Johnson, 
Seley  Judd, 
John  Kelley,  X 
Thomas  Leaviusworth, 
Zebulon  Lines, 
Ethel  Lounsbury, 
Samuel  W.  Mitchell, 
Sebra  Molthrop, 
Ebenezer  Orsborn,  X 
Philo  Page, 
Salmon  Parker, 
Eleazer  Patchen,  X 
John  Perry,  X 
Thomas  Pitcher,  X 
Asher  Rheylee, 
James  Riggs, 


John  Riggs,  4th, 
Samuel  Riggs, 
John  Sanford, 
Moses  Sanford,  X 
Abial  Skeals,  x 
Elijah  Smith, 
Jesse  Smith, 
Lyman  Smith, 
John  Spenser,  X 
George  Steel, 
Nathan  Stiles,  Jun., 
Oliver  Stoddard, 
Josiah  Swift, 
Thadias  Thomas, 
Cyrus  Tomlinson, 
William  Tomlinson,  X 
Benjamin  Tuttle, 
Abel  Wheeler, 
Moses  Wheeler,  Jun., 
Thomas  Wooding, 
Jacob  Warner,  X 
William  Waraer, 
Josiah  Worshburn ,  Jun . , 
Henry  Wooster,  Jun. 


SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY.  57 

In  a  town  meeting  held  Sept.  21st,  1795,  it  was  voted  that  to  facilitate 
the  division  of  the  town,  Derby  would  divide  its  representation  with  Oxford, 
if  set  oft",  each  to  have  one  representative. 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  "voted  unanimously  that  this  Town  (Derby) 
Eemonstrate  ag*  the  Petition  of  Thad*  Burr  &  his  associates  praying  for 
leave  to  build  a  bridge  over  Ousatonnack  River  near  Stratford  ferry,  and 
do  hereby  app*  Mes"^'^  Leman  Stone  &  John  Howd  our  agents  to  Prefer  a 
Eemonstrance  to  the  General  Assembly  &  to  prepare  all  Needful  Evidence 
&  Information  to  oppose  Said  Petition  at  the   General  Assembly." 

Small  Pox  continued  to  be  subject  of  legislation,  and  Dec.  11th,  1797,  it 
was  voted  that  "twenty-six  persons  and  no  more  be  granted  liberty  to  receive 
the  small  pox,  they  to  receive  it  by  the  evening  of  the  12th,  and  give  bonds  that 
they  remain  at  the  dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Benj.  Davis  in  Derby  and  not  depart 
the  house  until  liberty  be  obtained  from  the  authority  and  selectmen,  and  that 
the  physician  who  inoculates  them  shall  give  bonds  not  to  spread  the  small  pox, 
and  that  the  bonds  be  made  payable  to  the  selectmen,  and  that  the  selectmen 
and  civil  authority  or  their  committee  shall  set  limits  to  said  house  and  have 
the  superintending  of  the  Physician  and  Patients,  and  that  those  who  receive 
the  small  pox  shall  pay  all  expenses  and  save  the  town  harmless." 

At  this  meeting  Dr.  Sanford  of  ChusetoAvn,  wdth  Dr.  Crafts,  petitioned 
for  liberty  to  "inoculate  at  some  suitable  place."  At  an  adjourned  meeting 
held  Dec.  17th  penuission  was  given  to  inoculate  in  separate  hospitals,  under 
the  restrictions  before  established.  The  hospital  established  by  Dr.  Sanford 
was  on  the  hill  a  little  north  of  Castle  Eock,  convenient  of  access  from  his 
house,  which  stood  on  the  northwest  corner  of  West  and  Church  streets. 

In  1797  Eev.  Michael  Coate,  cii-cuit  preacher,  organized  the  Methodist 
Society,  including  in  its  membership  Jesse  Johnson,  Isaac  Baldwin,  Esther 
Baldwin,  Sarah  Baldwin,  Eunice  Baldwin,  George  Clark,  Lucy  Hitchcock, 
Silas  Johnson  and  Olive  Johnson.  Trinity  church  was  built  the  same  year. 
Vide  page  25. 

In  1798  an  attempt  was  made  to  get  a  more  (lirect  road  from  Chusetown 
to  New  Haven,  the  town  of  Derby  opposing  it  and  appointing  a  committee  to 
"the  General  Court  to  oppose  the  granting  of  liberty  to  a  turnpike  company  to 
make  a  road  from  New  Haven  to  Eimmon  Falls,  near  Mrs.  Dayton's,  unless 
the  turnpike  company  will  agi'ee  and  become  obliged  to  be  at  all  the  expense 
of  purchasing,  making  and  repairing  said  road."  Notwithstanding  this  the 
arrangement  was  finally  made,  terminating  at  the  lower  bridge,  then  known 
as  the  bridge  "at  the  falls  of  the  Naugatuck"  or  Eimmon  Falls. 

At  first  the  road  ran  down  what  is  now  Pearl  and  Main  streets,  but  in 
I  1802  purchases  of  land  were  made  from  Edmund  Page,  Lydia  Keeney  and 
Moses  Eiggs  of  a  right  of  way  direct  to  the  bridge.     The  purchases  were  made 
by  "Henry  Daggett  and  Thomas  Punderson  of  New  Haven,  and  Levi  Tom- 
linson  of  Chusetown,  committee  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Turnpike  Eoad  from 
i  Thompson's  Bridge  in  New  Haven  to  the  Falls  Bridge  in  Chusetown."     Page 
sold  45  rods  of  land  3  rods  wide,  18  rods  on  the  northeasterly  line  and  12 
rods  on  the  southwesterly  line;  bounded  southerly  on  highway,  easterly  on 
gi-antor's  land,  northwesterly  on  land  deeded  to  said  committee,  and  westerly  on 
j  grantor's  land.    D.  E.  Vol.  16,  p.  197.    Lydia  Keeney  sold  "a  part  of  her  home 
I  lot  containing  sixty  rods,  being  three  rods  wide  and  about  twenty-five  rods  in 
j  length,  for  the  purpose  of  extending  the  turnpike  road  from  the  highway  be- 
tween the  dwellinghouse  and  blacksmith  shop  of  Edwin  Page,  in  a  direct  line 
to  the  Falls  Bri.dge,  running  angling  through  the  land  of  s*^  Lydia  in  a  direct 


58  SEYMOUE  AND  VICimTY. 

line  with  the  s"^  turnpike  extending  southerly  of  s'^  Blacksmith  Shop,"  for  $70, 
Feb.  16th.    D.  E.,  Vol.  16,  p.  198. 

On  the  22n(l  of  February  Moses  Eiggs  of  Oxford  sold  to  the  same  parties 
"about  one  acre  and  thirty -five  rods  on  the  east  side  of  the  Naugatuck  river, 
running  on  the  Southwesterly  line  a  straight  line  from  the  northeast  corner  of 
said  bridge  to  about  two  feet  easterly  of  the  northeast  corner  of  Edmund  Page's 
Blacksmith  Shop,  from  said  bridge  about  fifty  rods  to  Lydia  Keeney's  land, 
bounded  southerly  on  said  grantor's  land  then  easterly  on  land,  deeded  by  s*^ 
Keeney  to  the  grantees  and  their  associates,  then  northeasterly  on  the  grantor's 
land,  and  is  three  rods  wide  where  it  leaves  s*^  Keeney's  land  on  the  northerly 
line  and  on  the  top  of  the  hill  four  rods  wide,  and  four  rods  opposite  said  corner 
of  said  bridge,  and  is  bounded  northwesterly  on  highway.  Said  land  is  for  the 
purpose  of  extending  the  Turnpike  Eoad  from  the  highway  near  s*^  Blacksmith 
shop  to  said  Bridge,  D.  E.,  Vol.  16,  p.  199.  The  names — Thompson's  Bridge 
Turnpike  and  Eimmon  Falls  Turnpike,  were  both  used  to  designate  this  road. 

These  deeds  make  the  old  blacksmith  shop,  corner  of  Hill  and  Pearl  streets, 
quite  an  important  landmark.  There  was  never  any  deed  of  the  land,  the 
shop  having  been  built  on  "proprietors'  land,"  i.  e.  undivided  land.  When 
the  right  of  location  was  questioned,  it  was  defended  on  the  ground  of  a  vote 
of  the  town  in  1798  which  gave  a  title  to  any  such  land  occupied  by  buildings 
standing  at  that  time,  at  the  same  time  forbidding  any  farther  unauthorized 
appropriation  of  the  public  lands.  It  was  claimed  that  the  blacksmith  shop 
was  there  in  1798,  and  that  the  title  was  therefore  good.  To  make  sure  that 
the  building,  or  some  portion  of  it  should  continue  to  mark  the  spot,  the  north 
side  of  the  building  was  cut  out  and  the  stone  wall  built,  and  under  such  cir- 
cumstances it  is  probable  that  the  exact  location  was  preserved. 

In  making  the  turnpike,  the  cut  on  Hill  street,  below  Washington  Avenue, 
was  made  in  part  by  ponding  the  brook  crossing  the  intersection  of  Hill  and 
Pearl  streets,  and  turning  the  water  down  the  cut,  carrying  the  sand  and 
gravel  into  the  river. 

In  April  1798,  John  Eiggs,  Caleb  Oandee  and  Charles  Bunnell  on  the 
part  of  the  Parish  of  Oxford,  and  James  Lewis,  David  Hitchcock  and 
Canfield  Gillett  on  the  part  of  "the  old  town,"  as  a  joint  committee,  reported 
in  addition  to  previous  arrangements,  that  Oxford  should  pay  £170  to  the  old 
town  in  three  annual  installments,  as  a  condition  of  the  division  of  the  town. 

The  Falls  Bridge  seems  to  have  been  a  continued  source  of  discussion  and 
expense,  either  for  repairs  or  rebuilding.  In  March,  1802,  arrangements  were 
commenced  for  building  a  new  bridge,  the  expense  to  be  borne  principally  by 
Oxford  Turnpike  Co.  and  Eimmon  Turnpike  Co.,  assisted  by  the  town  of  Derby 
on  condition  that  citizens  of  the  town  may  pass  toll  free.  A  toll  gate  was  to 
be  put  up  at  the  end  of  the  bridge.  In  this  year  John  Wooster  sold  his  third 
of  the  Falls  property  to  Bradford  Steel  for  $167,  and  Oct.  8th,  1803,  Steel 
purchased  of  Nathan  Styles  his  share  of  the  Falls  property  and  also  a  separate 
tract  of  land  near  by.  Styles  came  from  Southbury  and  married  a  daughter  of 
Capt.  Ebenezer  Dayton.  He  had  carried  on  business  here  a  number  of  years 
previous  to  1802. 

Bradford  Steel  had  been  carrying  on  business  at  the  mouth  of  Little 
Eiver,  having  his  falling  mill  and  dye  shop  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  his 
tinishipg  shop  at  the  top  of  the  hill  east  of  the  church.  He  lived  in  the  old 
house  (still  standing)  until  he  sold  it  to  Abiel  Canfield. 

Up  to  this  time  the  spinning  wheel  for  flax  and  wool  had  been  a  neces- 
sary article  in  a  well-ordered  farm-house,  and  it  was  often  accompanied  by 


SEYMOUR  AJSTD  VICINITY.  59 

tlie  hand  loom,  reel,  and  cards, — soon  superceded  by  carding  machines. 
Mothers  and  daughters  were  skilled  in  making  stout  and  durable  cloth,  as 
well  as  in  the  i)reparation  of  woolen  yarn  for  mittens  and  stockings.  Plain- 
ness of  apparel  was  the  rule  and  garments  which  had  cost  so  many  days  of 
tiresome  labor  by  members  of  the  household  were  not  likely  to  be  thrown  by 
for  trifles.  Steel  made  no  cloth.  The  cloth  dressed  and  finished  by  him  had 
been  woven  on  hand  looms  in  the  homes  of  the  industrious  weavers. 

In  1803,  Col.  David  Humphreys,  afterward  known  as  General  Humphreys, 
who  was  to  be  so  closely  identified  with  the  interests  of  the  place,  came  and 
pm-chased  the  Falls  property,  as  appears  by  the  deed  in  Derby  Records,  Vol. 
17,  page  30.  The  deed  was  given  Dec.  13th  and  recites  that  "Col.  David 
Humphreys,  now  of  Boston,  in  the  commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,"  purchased 
of  Bradford  Steel,  Bradford  Steel,  Jr.,  and  George  Steel,  for  the  sum  of 
$2,647.92,  ''one  certain  piece  of  land  lying  in  said  Derby  at  a  place  called 
Rimmon  Falls,  it  being  the  same  tract  of  laud  formerly  deeded  by  John  Howd 
and  Joseph  Chuse,  Indians,  to  John  Wooster,  Ebenezer  Kinney  and  Joseph 
Hull,  Jr.,  as  may  appear  on  Derby  Records ;  for  a  particular  description,  refer 
to  said  Records;  together  with  all  the  privileges,  together  with  the  saw  mill, 
two  fulling  mills,  clothiers  shop,  and  all  the  utensils,  implements,  and  apparatus 
belonging  to  and  used  in,  and  appendant  and  appurtenant  in  and  to  the  said 
mills  and  clothier's  shop  standing  on  said  land,  together  with  the  buildings 
thereon  standing,  together  with  the  whole  mill-dam  across  said  Rimmon  Falls." 

The  merino  sheep  had  been  introduced  into  the  country  and  their  great 
superiority  being  immediately  manifest,  farmers  were  everywhere  glad  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  improve  their  stock.  Gen.  Humph- 
reys did  not  encourage  speculation  but  distributed  his  sheep  judiciously  among 
the  farmers  at  $100  each,  a  price  said  to  be  less  than  the  original  cost.  When 
the  price  rose  to  $400  he  refused  to  sell,  saying  that  he  believed  such  sales 
would  lead  to  ruinous  speculation.  But  soon  the  price  of  merino  bucks  went 
up  to  $1,500  and  a  few  were  even  sold  as  high  as  $3,000,  and  ewes  sold  from 
$1,000  to  $1,500.  John  Bassett  was  ofi"ered  $1,000  by  Philo  Bassett  "for  a 
full  blooded  merino  ewe  lamb  eight  days  old  and  refused  to  take  less  than 
$1,500.  A  few  days  after  it  was  killed  by  a  fox.  Two  young  farmers  united 
in  buying  a  buck  at  $1,500  and  the  same  day  it  died  by  bemg  choked 
with  an  apple.  But  such  mishaps  checked  the  speculation  but  little,  and  it 
rapidly  extended  throughout  New  England,  Vermont  in  particular  being 
quickly  supplied  with  some  of  the  merinos. 

Gen.  Humphreys  considered  it  of  great  importance  to  the  interests  of 
the  country  that  manufactures,  especially  that  of  woolen  cloths,  should  be 
introduced,  and  with  the  nucleus  of  the  "mills  and  clothiers'  shop"  purchased 
of  Styles  he  immediately  set  about  it.  In  1800  he  had  the  factory  built  which 
still  stands  on  Factory  street,  near  the  race.  On  the  fifth  and  sixth  of  June 
was  raised  the  frame  of  the  first  woolen  factory  built  in  the  United  States. 

The  name  "Chusetown"  appears  on  the  town  Records  as  late  as  1804,  but 
it  was  soon  changed  to  Humpreysvilie  in  honor  of  Gen.  Humphreys,  and  this 
name  was  retained  until  1850. 

That  he  might  the  better  carry  out  his  plans  Gen.  Humphrey  made  several 
other  purchases  of  land,  among  others  the  two  following  April  25,  1804.  Of 
'  Hathan  and  Experience  Wheeler,  for  $000,  "one  piece  of  land  at  a  place  called 
Northend,  *  *  *  lying  on  the  west  side  of  the  highway,  bounded  northerly  on 
John  Swift's  land,  westerly  on  the  Naugatuck  River,  southerly  on  land  of 
Daniel  Tucker,  Jr.,  then  easterly  on  s*^  Tucker's  land,  then  southerly  on  s*^ 


60  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

Tucker's  land  to  the  highway,  then  bounded  easterly  on  highway  to  said  Swift's 
land,  containing  about  117  acres,  more  or  less;  also  one  other  piece  of  land, 
lying  on  the  hill,  bounded  westerly  on  highway,  northerly  on  land  of  Henry 
Wooster,  Jr.,  then  westerly  on  land  of  s'^  Wooster,  then  again  northerly  on 
land  of  s*^  Wooster,  to  the  O'Cain  land,  then  easterly  on  the  O'Cain  land,  then 
again  easterly  on  highway  to  land  of  Zephaniah  Tucker,  then  southerly  on  s*^ 
Tucker's  land,  then  again  easterly  on  s'^  Tucker's  land,  then  running  westerly 
to  the  highway,  as  the  fence  now  stands,  containing  about  thirty-five  acres  of 
land,  more  or  less,  with  the  buildings  belonging  to  s'^  pieces  of  land." 

Witnessed  by  John  Humphreys,  and  John  Humphreys,  Jr. 

He  also  purchased  of  l!^athan  Wheler,  a  tract  of  131  acres,  adjoining 
lands  of  John  Swift,  Daniel  Tucker,  David  Treat,  Levi  Hotchkiss,  Fitch 
Smith,  Capt.  Eeuben  Tucker,  "common  land,"  and  highway,  with  another 
piece  of  eight  acres,  for  the  consideration  of  $4,500. 

Cattle,  sheep  and  hogs  still  roamed  at  large  on  the  common  lands.  One 
item  of  the  record  says : — "David  Humphrey's  ear  mark  is  a  square  half 
penny  the  upper  side  the  right  ear.  Entered  May  15th,  1804.  Per  John 
Humphreys,  Eeg^." 

A  road  from  Shrub  Oak  to  Derby  Narrows  was  demanded  by  the  people 
of  Woodbury  and  adjoining  towns,  and  laid  out  in  1805.  The  following 
resolution  in  regard  to  it  was  passed  June  11th,  "Voted  that  the  select- 
men of  the  town  of  Derby  be  directed,  and  they  are  hereby  directed 
to  take  such  measures  as  in  their  judgement  shall  appear  most  prudent 
and  proper  to  procure  the  making  of  the  Road  they  have  lately  laid  out 
on  the  west  side  of  Naugatuck  Eiver,  from  Shruboak  to  Derby  Landing,  and 
cause  the  same  to  be  well  made  at  the  expense  of  said  town,  and  they  are 
directed  to  collect  and  apply  to  that  use  any  or  all  the  monies  due  to  said 
Town  as  they  may  find  themselves  needful." 

President  Dwight,  of  Yale  College,  wrote  an  interesting  sketch  of 
Humphrey sville  as  he  found  it  in  the  fall  of  1811,  which  is  here  given : 

"Within  the  limits  of  Derby,  four  miles  and  a  half  from  the  mouth  of 
the  Naugatuc,  is  a  settlement  named  by  the  Legislature  Humplireysvilley 
from  the  Hon.  David  Humphreys,  formerly  Minister  Plenipotentiary  at  the 
Court  of  Madrid.  At  this  place  a  ridge  of  rocks,  twenty  feet  in  height 
crosses  the  river,  and  forms  a  perfect  dam  about  two  thirds  of  the  distance. 
The  remaining  third  is  closed  by  an  artificial  dam.  The  stream  is  so  large  as 
to  furnish  an  abundance  of  water  at  all  times  for  any  works,  which  will  proba- 
bly ever  be  erected  on  the  spot.  Those  already  existing  are  a  grist-mill,  a 
saw-mill,  a  paper-mill,  woolen  manufactory,  and  a  cotton  manufactory,  with 
all  their  proper  appendages,  and  a  considerable  number  of  other  buildings, 
destined  to  be  the  residence  of  the  manufacturers,  and  for  various  other 
purposes. 

A  strong  current  of  water  in  a  channel,  cut  through  the  rock  on  the 
Eastern  side,  sets  in  motion  all  the  machinery,  employed  in  these  buildings. 
By  this  current  are  moved  the  grist-mill ;  two  newly  invented  shearing  ma- 
chines ;  a  breaker  and  finisher  for  carding  sheep's  wool ;  a  machine  for  making 
ravelliugs;  two  jennies  for  spinning  sheep's  wool,  under  the  roof  of  the 
grist-mill;  the  works  in  the  paper-mill ;  a  picker;  two  more  carding  machines 
for  sheep's  avooI  ;  and  a  billy  with  forty  spindles  in  a  third  building ;  a  full- 
ing-mill ;  a  saw-mill,  employed  to  cut  the  square  timber,  boards,  laths,  &c., 
for  the  different  edifices,  and  to  shape  many  of  the  wooden  materials  for  the 
machinery;    two   more   fulling-mills   on   improved   principles,   immediately- 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  61 

connected  with  the  clothier's  shop ;  and  the  various  machinery  in  a  cotton 
manufactory,  a  building  about  one  hundred  feet  long,  thirty-six  wide,  and  of 
four  stories,  capable  of  containmg  two  thousand  spindles  with  all  their  neces- 
sary apparatus. 

The  houses  can  accommodate  with  a  comfortable  residence  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  persons.  Ten  others  in  the  neighbourhood  will  furnish 
comfortable  residences  for  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  more.  Gardens 
on  a  beautiful  plat  in  the  rear  of  the  manufactories,  furnish  all  the  vegetables, 
necessary  for  the  establishment. 

The  institution  contains  four  broad  and  eight  narrow  looms,  and  eighteen 
stocking-frames. 

The  principal  part  of  the  labour  in  attending  the  machinery,  in  the 
cotton  and  woolen  manufactories,  is  done  by  women  and  children  ;  the  former 
hired  at  from  fifty  cents  to  one  dollar  per  week ;  the  latter,  apprentices,  who 
are  regularly  instructed  in  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic. 

The  wages  of  the  men  are  from  five  to  twenty -one  dollars,  per  month. 

In  Europe  great  complaints  have  been  made  of  manufacturing  estab- 
lishments, as  having  been  very  commonly  seats  of  vice,  and  disease.  Gen- 
eral Humphreys  began  this,  with  a  determination  either  to  prevent  these 
evils,  or  if  this  could  not  be  done,  to  give  up  the  design.  With  regard  to 
the  health  of  his  people  it  is  sufficient  to  observe,  that  from  the  year  1804  to 
the  year  1810,  not  an  individual,  belonging  to  the  institution,  died ;  and  it  is 
believed,  that  among  no  other  equal  number  of  persons  there  has  been  less 
disease. 

With  respect  to  vice  it  may  be  remarked,  that  every  person,  who  is  dis- 
covered to  be  openly  immoral,  is  discharged. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  institution,  discreet  parents  were  reluctant 
to  place  their  children  in  it,  from  unfavourable  apprehensions  concerning  the 
tendency  of  such  establishments.  Since  that  time  they  have  been  offered  in 
more  than  sufficient  numbers. 

In  1813,  the  Legislature,  at  the  instance  of  Gen.  Humphreys,  passed  a 
law,  constituting  the  select-men  and  magistracy  of  the  several  towns  in  which 
manufactories  had  been  or  should  be  established,  visitors  of  these  institutions. 
This  law  required  the  proprietors  to  controul  in  a  manner  specified,  the  mor- 
als of  all  their  workmen,  and  to  educate  the  children,  as  other  children  in 
plain  families  throughout  the  State  are  educated.  The  visitors  were  directed 
to  enquire  annually,  into  the  manner  in  which  the  proprietors  conformed  to 
this  law.  The  reports  of  the  visitors  in  Derby,  concerning  the  establishment 
at  Humphreys ville,  have  been  in  a  high  degTee  honourable  both  to  the  pro- 
prietor and  his  people. 

The  manufactures  at  Huraphreysville  are  esteemed  excellent.  The  best 
broadcloth  made  here,  is  considered  as  inferiour  to  none  which  is  imported. 

Americans  make  all  the  machinery ;  and  have  invented  several  kinds  of 
machines,  which  are  considered  as  superiour  to  such  as  have  been  devised  in 
Europe  for  the  same  purposes. 

Most  of  the  weaving  has  been  done  in  private  families. 

The  scenery  at  this  spot  is  delightfully  romantic.  The  Fall  is  a  fine  object. 
The  river,  the  buildings  belonging  to  the  institution,  the  valley,  the  border- 
ing hills,  farms,  and  houses,  groves,  and  forests,  united,  form  a  landscape,  in 
a  high  degree  interesting. 

The  people  of  this  country  are,  at  least  in  my  opinion,  indebted  not  a 
little  to  Gen.  Humphreys,  both  for  erecting  this  manufacturing  establishment, 


62  SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY. 

and  for  introducing  into  the  United  States  the  invaluable  breed  of  Spanish 
sheep,  known  by  the  name  of  Merinos.  One  hundred  of  these  animals  he 
procured  to  be  brought  by  the  connivance  of  the  Spanish  Court,  from  the 
interiour  of  Spain  to  Lisbon  5  and  thence  transported  to  Derby  under  his  own 
eye.  A  few  of  them  died  in  consequence  of  the  voyage.  The  rest  speedily 
regained  their  strength  and  ftesh,  and  from  that  time  the  breed,  instead  of 
declining,  has  sensibly  improved.  For  some  years  strong  prejudices  existed 
in  the  minds  of  the  farmers  throughout  our  country  against  this  breed  of 
sheep.  Gen.  Humphreys  has  done  more  than  any  other  man,  perhaps  than 
all  others,  to  remove  this  prejudice,  and  to  spread  them  through  the  country. 

In  this  manufactory  he  has,  I  think,  fairly  established  three  points  of 
great  importance.  One  is,  that  these  manufactures  can  be  earned  on  with 
success  ;  another,  that  the  workmen  can  be  preserved  in  good  health,  as  that, 
enjoyed  by  any  other  class  of  men  in  the  country ;  and  the  third,  that  the 
deterioration  of  morals  in  such  institutions,  which  is  often  complained  of,  is 
not  necessary,  but  incidental,  not  inherent  in  the  institution  itself,  but  the 
fault  of  the  proprietor. 

Derby,  then  including  Oxford,  contained  in  1756,  1,000  inhabitants ;  in 
1774,  1,889;  in  1790,  2,994.  Derby  alone  contained  in  1800,  1,878  inhabi- 
tants ;  and,  in  1810,  2,051." 


The  employes  of  the  works  were  mostly  Americans,  but  it  was  necessary 
to  send  to  England  at  great  expense  for  men  who  were  skilled  in  some  branches 
of  the  work  which  were  entirely  new  in  this  country.  Among  them  were 
John  Winterbottom,  father  of  Mrs.  Ann  S.  Stevens,  and  Thomas  Gilyard, 
son  of  Edmund  and  Nancy  Gilyard,  born  in  Leeds,  England,  March  20, 1786. 
He  came  to  New  York  in  the  "Commerce"  in  the  summer  of  1807,  having  had 
a  very  fine  passage  of  45  days,  and  by  packet  to  New  Haven  in  tlu'ee  days  sail, 
a  quick  trip  for  those  times.  He  immediately  commenced  work  for  Humphreys 
and  worked  for  him  until  March  28th,  1810.  In  this  year  the  manufacture 
of  stockings  was  carried  on  here  on  a  considerable  scale.  This  was  new  work 
for  Gilyard,  but  he  soon  learned  it.  He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist 
Society  for  many  years.  His  very  interesting  journal  has  furnished  many 
dates  and  incidents  for  these  pages. 

In  1802  Canfield  Gillett  was  appointed  a  committee  to  make  application 
to  the  General  Assembly  for  permission  to  sell  the  land  near  Kimmon  Falls 
still  belonging  to  the  Indians,  (D.  R.,  B.  M.  D.,  p.  419,)  but  the  permission 
was  not  gi'anted  until  1810.  The  land  was  sold  in  1812.  Following  is  a  copy 
of  the  deed  to  Gen.  Humphreys. 

"  Wltereas  the  General  Assembly  at  their  Session  in  May,  1810,  authorized  the  Subscriber, 
Joseph  Biggs  of  Derby,  in  New  Haven  County,  to  sell  and  convey  certain  lands  lying  in  said 
Derby,  Humpreysville,  the  property  of  Philip,  Hestor  and  Mary,  ando  other  certain  Lidian 
Proprietors,  under  the  direction  of  the  judge  of  Probate  for  New  Hax^en  District,  tvho  has 
ordered  the  subscriber  to  proceed  in  the  sale  thereof,  noiv  thereupon,  in  pursuaiance  of  said 
authority  and  in  consideration  of  three  hundred  and  forty-six  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents 
received  to  my  full  satisfaction  of  David  Humphreys,  Esq.,  of  Derby  aforesaid,  I,  the  said 
Joseph  Biggs,  have  remised,  released  and  quitclaimed,  and  do  by  these  presents  remise,  release 
and  quitclaim  to  said  Humphrey,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  the  following  described  two 
pieces  oj  land,  part  of  said  lands  directed  to  be  sold  as  aforesaid,  one  piece  bounded  southerly 
and  easterly  on  highways,  northerly  and  icesterly  on  said  Humphreys^  land,  the  other  piece 
southerly  and  westerly  on  highways,  northerly  on  part  of  said  Indian  lands  I  have  sold  to 
Phehe  Styles,  and  easterly  on  said  Humphreys  and  said  Styles,  containing  by  estimation  in 
both  pieces  six  acres  and  one  half,  the  whole  lying  easterly  of  said  Humphrey's  Factorys,  and 
comprehending  the  tvhole  Indian  Land  excepting  those  contained  in  the  conveyance  to  said. 


SEYMOUR  AND  YICmiTY.  63 

FhebcSUlcs  to  have  and  to  hold  said  remised  and  quitclaimed  premises  to  him,  the  said  David 
his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  so  that  said  Indians  and  no  persons  under  them  shMhereaA 
male  claim  to  said  remised  premises,  and  I  hereby  covenant  that  I  huve  full  right  to  sell  and 

7ay7f  S^irS"-^''"''""  ''"'"''"'^  ''^"""'^^  *"''  *"'■''"  ''*  '"^  ''"'"^  ^'"^  leamsm 

JOSEPH  BIGGS     J  SEAL  J 

Signed  sealed  and  delivered  New  Haven  County  ss.  New  Haven,  Sept:T:^l2, 

ELIZUR  GOODRICH  Personally  appeared  JOSEPH   RIGGS,  signer 

BENJAMIN  BUI  I     '  f""^  ?^i^^°^  ^^^   foregoing   instrument,  and  ae- 

RfcfrdedXVgSa.  &oTe  mf  '''  ''"'  ''  '^  ''^  ''''  ''''  ^"'^  ^'^'^ 

JOHN  L.  LOUNSBUEY.  "      eLIZUR  GOODRICH,  Assistant. 

The  land  referred  to  in  above  deed  as  sold  to  Pliebe  Stiles  consisted  of  2 
acres  and  20  rods,  'beginning  five  rods  and  three  feet  from  the  northwest  corner 
of  Col  Humphrey's  new  cellar,  and  running  northerly  by  highway  to  Col. 
David  Humphreys'  land,  thence  easterly  to  said  Phebe's  land,  thence  southerly 
by  her  lands  to  lands  this  day  conveyed  to  said  Humphreys,  and  thence  by  said 
land  to  place  of  beginning."  •' 

From  the  following  extracts  from  the  town  records  it  appears  that  another 
tract  of  land  was  purchased  for  the  Indians  with  the  proceeds  of  the  above 
sales.  "Whereas  the  General  assembly,  June  7th,  1813,  authorized  Joseph 
Riggs  to  sell  certain  ands  the  property  of  Philip,  Moses,  Hester,  Frank  and 
Mary  Seymour  which  lay  in  Derby  and  which  descended  to  them  from  John 
Howder  (Howd),  an  Indian,  and  to  lay  out  the  avails  in  other  real  estate,"  a 
tract  of  land  was  purchased  "for  $230  for  and  in  behalf  of  said  Moses, 
Hester  and  the  children  of  said  Mary  Seymour,  the  said  Mary  being  de- 
ceased,"-foiir  acres,  three  quarters  and  eleven  rods  bounded- north  on  James 
Lewis,  easterly  and  northerly  on  the  lands  of  Isaac  Short,  and  easterly  on 
Isaac  Thompson,  southerly  on  land  of  Peter  Johnson,  and  westerly  on  hio-h- 
way,  "the  children  of  said  Mary  Seymour  (evidently  Moses,  Frank  and  Mai-y) 
to  have  one  undivided  third.  To  Phillip,  Hester  and  representatives  of  sa  d 
Maiy,  by  Lewis  and  Betsey  Prindle."    Deed  executed  June  15th,  1813. 

The  War  of  1812,  calling  for  men  and  means  fi-om  every  section  of  the 
country  though  It  could  but  intemipt  to  some  extent  the  progress  of  the 
peaceful  arts^  did  not  prevent  a  continued  growth  of  the  manufacturing  in- 
dustries m  Humphreysville.  The  busy  hum  of  machinery  and  the  sould  of 
preparations  for  war  were  alike  heard  in  our  peaceful  valley.  A  company  of 
artilerywasfomed  in  Humphreysville,  including  a  few  fi-om  Oxford,  and 

Sn?..  T>  fif"-"""'^  '^^^''^"'^^  ^^  *^«  ^°^'t  ^^  the  mouth  of  the  river 
Ihames  The  tollowmg  names  of  the  members  of  the  company  have  been 
obtained  from  inscriptions  in  our  cemeteries  and  elderly  people  of  the  vicinity  • 

Col.  Ira  Smith,  died  Xov.  19th,  1822,  aged  44  years  * 

Capt.  Daniel  Holbrook,  d.  Dec.  28th,  1828,  se  59 

Capt.  Amadous  Dibble,  d.  Sept.  25th,  1843,  m  65 

Anson  Baldwin. 

Jesse  Baldwin. 

Abel  Bassett,  d.  March  23rd,  1863,  fe  78. 

Samuel  Bassett,  d.  Sept.  28th,  1851,  se  67. 

William  Bassett. 

James  Bo\vman. 

Lewi§  Broadwell,  d.  Sept.  6th,  1844,  sb  53. 

Thomas  Gilyard,  d.  Nov.  12th,  1853. 

Jesse  Hartshorn. 

Chauncey  Hatch,  fi-om  Oxford. 


64  SEYMOUR  AND  VIOmiTY. 

Daniel  Holbrook,  2nd. 

William  Kinney,  d.  Jan.  7tli,  1847,  se  87. 

Calvin  Leavenworth,  from  Pines  Bridge. 

Isaac  Leavenworth. 

Isaac  Losee. 

Theophilus  Miles,  Jr.,  d.  March  15th,  1840,  se  70. 

John  Moshier. 

Ebenezer  Northrop,  d.  Jan.  11th,  1835,  se  49. 

Sheldon  Tucker,  d.  Jan.  5th,  1843,  se  57. 

Isaac  White,  d.  Feb.  6th,  1862,  se  72. 

Nathan  Wooster. 

The  company  was  completed  by  a  draft  and  Samuel  Canfield  was  one  of 
those  who  were  drafted.  He  was  then  apprentice  to  Elias  Gilbert,  a  ma- 
chinist who  worked  in  a  shop  which  he  had  built  near  the  comer  of  Hill  and 
Pearl  streets,  next  to  the  blacksmith'  shop,  now  occupied  by  William  J. 
Roberts  as  a  dwelling.  Canfield  was  then  eighteen  years  of  age  and  had 
become  so  skillful  a  machinist  that  his  employer,  rather  than  lose  his  services, 
hired  a  substitute  in  his  place.  Gilbert  did  the  machine  work  for  Gen. 
Humphreys.  William  Humphreys,  brother  of  Squire  John  Humphreys  and 
nephew  of  Gen.  Humphreys  invented  several  useful  machines  to  facilitate  the 
manufacture  of  broadcloth,  and  the  machines  were  built  by  Gilbert. 

Gen.  Humphreys  was  always  ready  to  honor  the  memory  of  his  brave 
com-patriots.  At  a  town  meeting  held  April  12th,  1813,  he  introduced  and 
the  following  resolutions,  which  were  passed  unanimously : 

Resolved,  that  Isaac  Hull,  Esq.,  a  native  of  this  town.  Captain  in  the  Navy  of 
the  U.  S.,  and  lately  Commander  of  their  Frigate  Constitution,  with  the  aid  of  his 
gallant  officers  and  ships  companv  and  the  smiles  of  Providence,  having  led  the  van 
in  the  career  of  our  naval  glory,  capturing  his  Britanic  Majesty's  Frigate  Guerriere 
commanded  by  Captain  Dacres,  has  in  our  opinion  deserved  well  of  his  country  and 
is  an  ornament  to  the  place  of  his  nativity. 

Resolved,  that  joining  cordially  in  the  universal  applause,  bestowed  by  our  coun- 
trymen on  Hull,  Jones,  Decatur,  Bainbridge  and  Lawrence,  and  their  brave  and 
skillful  associates  in  perils  and  triumphs,  for  their  glorious  naval  achievements,  we 
judge  we  have  a  right  in  our  corporate  capacity  without  showing  an  undue  partiality 
to  the  first  mentioned  officer  or  stepping  aside  from  our  municipal  duties,  to  notice 
more  particularly  his  exemplary  merits  from  having  better  opportunities  of  becoming 
acquainted  with  them. 

Resolved,  that  Messrs.  John  L.  Tomlinsou,  William  Humphreys  and  Pearl  Crafts 
be  a  committee  to  collect  and  digest  such  distinguishing  and  illustrative  facts  on  the 
subject  matter  now  before  us  as  may  be  attainable  and  that  they  will  cause  the  result 
to  be  communicated  to  the  public  in  such  manner  as  they  shall  deem  most  proper. 

Resolved,  that  from  the  interruption  of  our  Fisheries  and  navigation  by  war, 
silver  and  gold  we  have  not,  to  offer  in  costly  demonstrations  of  respect  and  esteem  iu 
imitation  of  richer  towns,  yet  what  we  have  we  freely  give,  to  wit,  a  tribute  oi 
gratitude. 

Therefore,  voted  that  Isaac  Hull,  Esq.,  being  already  constitutionally  entitled  to 
the  freedom  of  this  corporation,  the  thanks  of  this  town  be  presented  to  him  in  a  box 
made  of  heart  of  oak,  the  congenial  growth  of  his  native  hills. 

Voted,  that  the  committee  take  order  from  the  Selectmen  for  the  performance  of 
this  service  and  report  their  proceedings  to  a  future  meeting  for  the  express  purpose^ 
that  a  town  Record  be  made  for  the  perpetual  remembrance  of  these  trausactions. 

Voted,  that  the  committee  above  named  be  directed  to  transmit  to  Capt.  Hull 
certified  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolutions. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY 


05 


^Vtlile  the  futliers  were  intent  on  raising  slieep  tlie  boys  hud  their  depart- 
ment in  tlie  new  industry,  and  busied  themselves  to  raise  the  teasels  used  in 
dressing  the  cloth.  Gen.  Humphreys  organized  the  boys  of  the  factory  into  a 
trainband,  and  furnished  them  with  the  articles  necessary  for  drill.  The  silk 
flag,  beautifully  embroidered  by  Lady  Humphreys,  is  now  in  the  possession  of 
Carlos  French,  Esq.     The  inscription  is  as  follows: 


^ 


.^^' 


'« 


^ 


F»EIl^?i$EAEI^A]VI3  0 


^     SHIELD- 
\  WITH  VIMS. 


Reverse:  Semi-circle  of  KJ  stars,  "HUMPHREYS  VILLE,"  eagle, 
arrows  and  state  emblems. 

Gen.  Humphreys  died  in  1818.  His  remains  were  interred  in  New 
Haven  Cemetery.  Upon  the  monument  is  the  following  inscription  on  two 
tablets  of  copper  inserted  in  the  pedestal : 

David  Humphreys,  LL.  D.  Ariiul.  Scieiit.  Pliila<l.  Muss,  et  Connect,  et  in  Anglia  A(iiue  Solis 
et  Regia;  Societal,  socius.  Patrice  et  lil)ertatis  aniore  acceiisus,  juveiiis  vitaui  reipub.  integram  con" 
secravit.     Patriani  arniis  tuehatur,  con.siliis  auxit.  Uteris  exoriiavit,  apud  fxteras  geiites  concordia 

stal)ilivit. In  hello  gerendo  niaxiini  ducis  Washington  admi'iister  et  adjiitor;  in  exercitu  patrio 

Chiliarelius;  in  repiiblica  Coniiectioiitensi,  niilitiun  evocatoruni  iniperator;  ad  aulani  Lusitau.  et 
Hispan.  legatus.  Iberia  reversus  natale  soliui  vellere  vere  aureo  ditavit.  In  Historia  et  Poesi 
scriptor  eximius;  in  artibiis  et  scientiis  excolendis,  qiise  vel  decori  vel  usuiii  inserviunt,  optimus  ipse 
et  patronus  et  exemplar.  Oninilms  deniiim  olficiis  expletis,  ciirsuq;  vitw  feliciter  jieracto,  fato 
cessit,  Die  xxi  Febniar.  Anno  Domini  mdcccxviii,  cum  annos  vixisset  LXV. 

This  may  be  rendered  as  follows : 

D.wiD  HuMPHRKVS.  Doctor  of  Laws,  Member  of  the  Academy  ot  Science  of  Pliiladelphia, 
Massachusetts,  and  Connecticut ;  of  the  Bath   [Agricultural]    Society,  and  of  the   Royal  Societ"  of 

London. Fired  with  the  love  of  country  and  of  liberty,  he  consecrated  his  youth  wholly  to  the 

service  of  the  Republic,  which  he  defended  by  his  arms,  aided  by  liis  counsels,  adorned  by  his 
learning,  and  preserved  in  harmony  with  foreign  nations.  l:i  the  field,  he  was  the  companion  ami 
aid  of  the  great  Washington,  a  Colonel  in  the  army  of  his  country,  and  commander  of  the  Veteran 
Volunteers  of  Connecticut.  He  went  Andiassador  to  the  courts  of  Portaj^al  and  Spain,  and  returii- 
ing,  enriched  his  native  land  with  the  true  golden  fleece.  He  was  a  distinguished  Historian  and 
Poet; — a  model  and  Patron  of  Science,  and  of  the  ornamental  and  useful  arts.  After  a  full  dis- 
charge of  every  duty,  and  a  life  w-ell  spent,  he  died  on  the  21st  day  of  February,  1818,  aged  65  years. 


66  sp:ym()ue  axd  vicinity. 

Mrs.  Mills,  the  wife  of  tlie  pastor  of  Fairfield,  and  sister  of  General 
Humphrey,  died  in  1S15.  When  the  British  burned  Fairheld,  July  7th, 
1770,  she  fled  on  horseback,  havinir  put  her  best  feather  bed  across  the  horse, 
and  came  to  old  Derby.  The  parsonage  and  the  church  in  which  her  hus- 
band had  preached  were  burned  to  the  ground.  She  afterward  had  built  for  her 
the  house  in  the  rear  of  that  nuw  occupied  by  Dr.  J.  Kendall,  and  there  re- 
mained until  her  death. 

The  re]n'esentatiou  of  Hum])hreysville  on  the  ojtjtosite  page  is  from  a 
woodcut  nuide  either  by  Abial  (."anheld  or  by  an  English  engraver  in  his 
employ,  for  use  as  a  ti'ade  mark  in  the  ])apermill,  which  may  be  distinguished 
in  the  woodcut  by  the  water  wheel  outside  the  mill.  Between  the  papermill 
and  the  dam  was  the  gristmill,  previously  occupied  by  Nathan  Stiles  as  a 
woolen  mill.  At  the  right  of  the  papermill  was  the  sawmill.  The  large 
building  at  the  right  of  tlie  sawmill  was  the  woolen  factory  in  which  General 
Humphreys  made  the  flrst  broadcloth  ever  manufactured  in  the  United  States. 
At  the  right  of  the  factory  was  the  "Long  House,"  built  by  General  Humph- 
reys for  dwellings  for  his  employes.  The  building  on  the  right  and  the 
smaller  one  adjoining  were  used  by  Gen.  H.  as  an  office  and  storehouse.  The 
little  building  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  w'as  a  nuichine  shop  connected  with  the 
woolen  ftictory.  The  barn  on  the  hill  beyond  the  office  spire  belonged  to 
Abel  Bassett'. 

There  was  a  great  revival  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1816  among  the 
Methodists.  "Uncle  Timothy"  Hitchcock  was  one  of  the  converts.  Keuben 
Harris  was  in  charge.  He  lived  in  the  house  with  Stiles  Johnson.  The 
summer  of  1816  was  known  as  "the  cold  summer."  There  was  frost 
every  month  in  the  year.  In  this  year  Worrull  &  Hudson  sold  out  the 
papermill  to  Ebenezer  Fisher  and  Henry  LeForge. 

In  1817  the  Congregational  Society  was  organized.  Vide  page  9.  In 
connection  with  the  sale  of  the  old  church  to  tlie  Methodists  the  follow'ing 
from  the  records  is  of  interest : 

^'■numphreysvUle.f  Oct.  31,  1817.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Brethren  of  the 
Methodist  Soeiety,  convened  at  the  house  of  Timothy  Hitehcocl',  for  the 
purpose  of  transacting  business  for  the  heneft  of  sd.  society,  Voted  that 
Robert  Lees,  Bezaleel  Feck,  Timothy  Hitchcock  and  Stiles  Johnson  be  ap- 
pointed a  Committee  to  arrange  business  icith  a  committee  appointed  by  the 
Congregationalists  relative  to  the  old  Meeting  House  in  Humphreys  Ville. 

Robert  Lees,  Moderator. 

S!&^2nd,  Voted,  Neivel  Johnson — Secretary. 

ly^rr/.  Voted,  Stiles  Johnson,  Bezaleel  Peck,  Robert  Lees,  Thomas 
Gilyard,  Timothy  Hitchcock,  Trustees  for  the  said  Methodist  Society.''^ 

^'■Copy  of  the  Heed  of  the  old  Presbyterian  Meeting-house  in  Humph- 
reys Ville  : 

To  all  people  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greeting  :  Know  ye 
that  we,  Bradford  Steele,  Sarah  Steele,  William  Kenney,  Ira  Smith,  Phebe 
Stiles,  &  Philena  Baldwin,  of  Derby  in  Kerc  Haven  County,  for  the  con- 
sideration of  forty  Dollars,  rec^d  to  our  full  satisfaction  of  Stiles  Johnson, 
Bezaleel  Peck,  Thomas  Gilyard,  Robert  Lees  and  Timothy  Hitchcock,  do 
remise  and  release  and  forever  quitclaim  unto  the  said  Johnson,  Peck, 
Gilyard,  Lees,  and  Hitchcock,  for  the  use  of  the  said  Methodist  Society, 
and  unto  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  all  the  right,  title  and  interest, 
claim  d'  demand  ichatsoerer,  as  we  the  said  releasors  have  or  ought  to  have 
in  or  to  one  certain  House  in  Humphreys  Ville,  adjoining  the  burying  ground 


08  SEYMOTJK  AND  VICTXITY. 

huilt  /or  a  House  of  Fuhlk  Worship,  to  have  and  to  hold  the  said  premises, 
icith  all  their  appurtenances,  unto  the  said  Releasees  d;  their  heirs  d; 
Assi()ns  forever,  so  that  neither  ive  the  releasors,  nor  our  heirs,  nor  any 
other  2)er son. under  us  or  them  shall  hereafter  hare  any  right  or  title  in  or  to 
the  premises  or  any  part  thereof,  hut  therefrom  ive,  and  they  are  hy  these 
presents  forever  debarred  &  secluded. 

In  witness  ichereof  we  hare  hereunto  set  our  hands  tt'  seals  this  22nd 
day  of  Septt'',  Anno  Domini,  1818. 

BRADFORD  STEELE,      [.sert/] 
SARAH  STEELE,  [seal] 

IRA  SMITH,  IseaQ 

PHEBE  STILES^  [seal] 

WM  KEN  NET,  [seal] 

PHILENA  BALDWIN.     [,sm?] 
Signed,  sealed  d'  delivered  in  presence  of  John  Humphreys,  Jr., 

Phehe  Stiles, 
Ellas  Baldicin. 
Neic   Haven    Co.  S.   S.,  Derby,   Si'pt.  L*U,  1818,  personally   appeared 
B.  S.,  S.  S.,  I.  S.,  P.  S.,  W.  K.  &  P.  B.,  signers  and  sealers  of  the  fore- 
going instrument,  and  acknowledged  the  same  to  be  their  free  act  tfc  deed 
before  me.     John  Humphreys,  Jun''r,  Justice  of  the  Peace.'" 

lu  1818,  Stiles  Jolmson  gave  by  will  to  the  Metliodist  Society  the  ground 
on  which  the  church  stands,  with  the  green  in  front,  also  $334  in  money,  of 
which  $131  was  to  be  applied  to  repairs  on  the  church,  the  $200  to  be  kept 
as  a  perpetual  fund,  the  interest  only  to  be  applied  for  the  support  of 
''regular  Sabbath  preaching."  Following  is  a  copy  of  the  clause  of  his  will 
making  the  bequest  to  the  church  : 

\2nd. — I  iviU  and  hequcath  to  the  Mefhodi.st  Society  in  Hnmphreijs  Ville  the  land  on 
which  the  meeting  honae  now  stundu,  togefher  with  the  Green  in  front  of  mid  House,  to  he  in 
the  care  of  the  Trmitees  of  mid  house,  for  the  benefit  of  said  Society,  and  I  also  give  three 
Hundred  and  thirty-four  dollars  of  my  Estate  to  be  applied  to  the  support  of  the  Methodist 
traveling  Preachers  us  long  as  there  shall  be  regular  Sabbath  preaching  in  the  aforesaid 
Meeting  House,  which  money  shall  be  raised  and  paid  out  of  my  Estate  as  though  it  was  a 
Debt  to  the  Trustees  of  said  House  and  the  Interest  annually  applied  as  aforesaid.  But  if  it 
should  be  thought  by  the  aforesaid  Trustees  more  for  the  benefit  of  said  Society,  they  may 
apply  any  sum  not  exceeding  one  Hundred  and  thirty-four  dollars  to  making  further  repair^^ 
on  said  House,  and  the  remainder  to  be  applied  as  aforesaid.  But  if  the  Traveling  Connec- 
tion should  neglect  or  refuse  to  sujiply  said  House  as  ajoresaid  then  the  Interest  of  said  money 
shall  be  given  to  such  local  pri'achers  as  shall  for  the  lime  being  supply  their  place  according 
to  the  discretion  of  the  Trustees. 

In  May,  1822,  the  Humphreysville  Manufacturing  Company  was  incor- 
l)orated  by  act  of  the  Legislature  and  organized  with  a  capital  of  850,()(X>. 
John  H.  DeForest  was  the  tirst  president  and  J.  Fisher  Leaming,  secretary. 
D.  R.,  Vol.  22,  p.  439.  The  fells  property  was  purchased  of  Lewis  Wain  of 
Philadelphia  Aug.  1st,  for  810,000;  being  described  in  D.  R.,  Vol.  22,  p. 
432,  as  follows : 

Beginning  "a  few  rods  north  of  the  east  abutment  of  the  liimmon  Falls  bridge,  at  the 
corner  of  the  highway,  thence  bounded  northerly  on  said  DeForest,  thence  easterly  and  south- 
erly on  said  DeForest,  thence  easterly  on  highway  to  Bladen's  Brook,  thence  northerly  on 
Bladen^s  Brook  to  Xaugatuck  Hirer,  thence  on  said  River  to  the  dam,  including  the  whole  of 
the  dam  and  all  the  ivater  priviJeges  appertaining  thereto,  then  bounded  southerly  on  said 
Xaugatuck  River  to  a  point  where  the  highway  strikes  said  river,  thenee  easterly  on  highway 


SEYMOUK  AND  VICINITY.  69 

to  said  first  meuUoiied  bounds,  with  all  the  mills,  manufactories,  if-  huildings  standing  thereon, 
(one  piece  of  land — north  of  ^'Promised  Land'^  to  Bladen's  Brook,)  *  *  *  o,jg  other 
piece  of  land  on  the  west  side  of  Xaugatuck  Biver,  opposite  the  manufactory,  hounded  west- 
erly on  highway,  southerly  on  highivay  to  the  channel,  where  the  stream  sometimes  crosses  the 
road,  then  hounded  easterly  on  said  channel  to  the  Bimmon  falls  rock,  thence  rvnning  on  said 
Fall  rock^,  hounded  easterly  on  said  Xaugatuck  Biver  to  the  north  side  of  the  pathway  leading 
from  the  ricei-  up  the  hill  to  the  road  hounded  northeasterly  on  John,  William  and  Elijah 
Humphreys''  land,  to  the  bars  on  the  top  of  the  hill  at  the  highway,  reserving  a  passway  to  the 
said  John,  William  c'(- Elijah  Humphreys' land  i^- to  the  huryiug  ground,  *  *  *  contain- 
ing ahout  Sixteen  acres,  more  or  less,  ivith  the  full,  absolute  cf'  exclusive  water  privileges  on 
both  sides  the  river,"  <^c. 

Tlie  tlain  was  soon  rebuilt,  the  watercourse  to  the  mills  widened  and 
cotton  machinery  put  in.  There  was  then  one  store  in  the  valley  and  one  on 
the  hill  near  the  Episcopal  Church,  DeForest  lived  at  iirst  in  the  Koth  house, 
on  west  side  of  south  Main  street,  opposite  Pearl  street,  till  he  built  the  house 
now  occupied  by  Raymond  French,  Esq.,  in  which  he  lived  until  his  death 
in  1839. 

The  shop  in  the  fork  of  the  road  near  the  M.  E.  Church  was  built  in 
1825  by  Newel  Johnson,  Isaac  Kenney  and  Jesse  Smith  owning  a  portion  of 
the  building.  The  upper  part  of  the  building  was  used  by  Joliuson  for  a 
carpenter  and  cabinet  shop  and  what  coffins  were  required  in  the  village 
were  made  there.  Newel  Johnson  built  the  houses  of  Denzel  Hitchcock  and 
others.     Johnson's  father  lived  in  the  house  now  occupied  by  Jeremiah  Durand. 

In  1828,  Samuel  li.  Hickox,  a  local  preacher  from  Southbury,  moved 
into  Humphreysville  and  took  charge  of  the  gi'ist  mill  near  the  falls.  Rev. 
Amos  Pettengill  was  the  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church.  Rev.  Stephen 
Jewett  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  Rev.  A.  H.  Sanford  of  the  iNIethodist 
church.  In  this  year  a  bell  was  first  procured  for  the  Episcopal  church  and 
a  stove  put  up  in  the  church.  Previous  to  this,  loot  stoves  were  the  only 
means  of  producing  artificial  warmth  in  the  churches.  About  this  time 
Judson  English  came  from  Hotchkisstown,  now  Westville,  and  bought  out 
the  tannery  on  the  premises  now  owned  by  Arthur  Rider,  previously  run  by 
Benham.  The  bark  mill  was  further  south  on  the  brook  just  below  the  rail- 
road crossing.  About  ten  years  later  English  sold  out  to  George  Kirtland 
and  removed  to  Great  Hill.  The  father  of  Judson  was  one  of  the  early 
^lethodists,  and  Judson  was  a  class-leader  when  living  in  Hotchkisstown. 
Always  a  very  hard  working  man  and  strictly  temperate,  few  men  could  beat 
him  in  the  held  until  he  was  nearly  seventy  years  of  age.  He  was  always  a 
working  member  of  the  church  of  his  choice,  and  a  trustee  and  steward  of 
the  Great  Hill  Society  until  his  death. 

In  18.30,  Leveret  Pritchard  was  living  on  the  knoll  opposite  the  saw-mill 
still  standing  near  the  upper  end  of  Maple  street.  Previous  to  that  time  he 
lived  in  the  house  in  the  rear  of  Dr.  J.  Kendall's. 

Chester  Jones,  a  paper  maker,  built  the  north  "Kirtland  house,"  and 
kept  a  store  in  it.  He  afterward  moved  to  Ohio,  returning  in  a  year  or  two, 
and  was  for  several  years  superintendent  of  the  Humphreysville  Manufac- 
turing Co's  Papermill,  living  in  the  house  close  by.  His  wife  was  a  daughter 
of  Dea.  Bradford  Steele.  The  house  afterward  owned  by  William  Kinney, 
was  built  by  Jones.  He  afterward  mo\'ed  to  Erie  and  died  there.  Ezekiel 
Gilbert  had  kept  a  store  below  Squantuck  on  the  river  road,  but  about  this 
time  he  came  to  Humphreysville  and  kept  the  tavern  on  Broad  street  about 
two  years,  when   he  built  the  store  now  kept  by  H.  W.  Randall.     Moshier 


70  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

then  moved  back  into  the  liotel  and  occnpied  it  until  his  death.  While  Gilbert 
was  in  the  hotel  Moshier  lived  in  Mrs.  Bliss'  house,  corner  of  north  Main 
and  Day  streets,  and  built  the  paper  mill. 

In  1831,  George  Kirtland  on  behalf  of  the  Methodist  Society  paid  $110 
for  the  land  for  the  parsonage,  including  the  place  now  owned  by  Evan 
Llewellyn,  corner  of  Pearl  and  Grand  streets,  and  the  lot  on  the  opposite 
corner  now  owned  by  Edwin  Smith,  Grand  street  not  having  been  opened 
until  many  years  after.     The  parsonage  was  built  the  following  year. 

The  Humphreysville  Manufacturing  Co.  commenced  the  work  of  paper- 
making  in  May  with  four  employes,  Chester  Jones,  Wm.  Bates,  Jane  Patchen 
and  Lois  Thomson;   but  increased  the  number  during  the  month  to  sixteen. 

In  1832  business  was  prosperous  and  local  industries  remunerative.  The 
Humphreysville  Manufacturing  Co.  employed  18  hands  and  the  10th  of  April 
commenced  running  night  and  day,  making  ])aper  for  the  New  Haven 
Palladium  and  other  papers.  The  mill  produced  not  only  news  but  tissue  and 
colored  papers.    . 

Bethany  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in  this  year,  having  previously  been 
a  parish  of  Woodbridge. 

At  this  time  the  store  and  house,  corner  of  Pearl  and  Hill  streets  were 
occupied  by  David  Sanford,  and  Lyman  Smith  kept  the  store  across  the  road, 
in  a  building  since  removed.  Sanford  was  called  "Pitchfork  Sanford."  Years 
before  he  kept  the  blacksmith  shop  on  the  Woodbridge  road,  and  one  day  in 
an  altercation  he  killed  a  man  with  a  pitchfork.  Sanford  was  tried,  branded 
and  made  to  wear  a  cord  around  his  neck  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Butter  sold  at  fourteen  cents  a  pound  and  oak  wood  at  three  dollars  a 
cord.  Factory  girls  paid  $1.12^  per  week  for  board.  A  hoi-se  and  wagon 
could  be  hired  to  go  to  New  Haven  for  one  dollar.  These  were  fair  samples 
of  the  prices  of  those  times  and  illustrate  the  comparative  purchasing  value  of 
a  dollar  then  and  now. 

A  "Caravan  of  Wild  Beasts"  exhibited  near  Moshier's  tavern,  in  the 
summer  of  1834  and  excited  considerable  interest,  being  probably  the  first 
exhibition  of  the  kind  which  ever  passed  through  the  village. 

There  was  a  great  flood  Jan.  31st,  1835,  overflowing  the  lowlands,  but 
doing  no  great  damage.  May  4th  was  the  annual  training  day  and  a  general 
holiday  in  the  village. 

The  hard  times  of  1837,  following  years  of  prosperity  and  undue  specu- 
lation, when  the  banks  of  New  York  and  New  Orleans  alone  failed  to  the 
amount  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  million  of  dollars,  could  but  seriously  aftect 
the  fortunes  of  Humphreysville,  though  far  less  in  proportion  than  larger 
places  generally,  which  had  launched  more  deeply  into  the  tide  of  inflation. 
Most  of  the  factories  and  shops  continued  their  work,  though  compelled  for  a 
time  by  a  lack  of  a  reliable  circulating  medium  to  do  business  principally  by 
barter.  The  Humphreysville  Manufacturing  Co.  however  reduced  its  em- 
ployes to  seven,  and  May  Gth  stopped  entirely  until  the  9th  of  October,  and 
the  Cotton  Factory  shut  down  and  remained  idle  until  January  10th,  1838. 

At  this  time  there  were  three  auger  factories  in  the  village,  as  follows  : 

Raymond  French,  Blueville,  where  Rubber  factory  now  stands. 

Gilbert  &  Wooster,  forges  in  Bennett  Wooster's  blacksmith  shop,  east 
of  row  of  maples  shown  in  cut  on  page  07,  filing  room  in  the  south  part  of 
Gilbert's  building  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Hill  streets,  and  finishing  room 
under  the  sawmill  shown  in  cut  of  Humphreysville. 

Walter  French,  near  house  now  occupied  by  Warren  French. 

Wm.  Bunitt,  now  living  in  Waterbury,  carried  on  the  stove  and  tinware 


VIEW  OF  THE  CENTEK  IN  1838. 


FKOM  BARBEU  S  HISTORICAL  COLLECTIONS. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  71 

business  in  the  Lyman  Smith  Buikling,  as  successor  to  Bm-ritt  &  Lewis, 
wliose  store  and  shop  was  in  the  Wheeler  Buikling,  at  the  foot  of  Falls  Hill. 
The  firm  had  been  dissolved  in  the  fall  of  1836,  Edward  Lewis  going  to 
Birmingham,  where  he  still  continues  in  the  same  business.  In  the  spring  of 
1839  Burritt  removed  to  Norwalk.  Henry  Bradley  was  then  learning  his 
trade  with  Burritt,  and  went  with  him  to  Norwalk  to  complete  his  engage- 
ment, returning  a  few  years  later  to  pursue  the  same  business  with  M.  Brad- 
ley, now  in  Westville,  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  &  M.  Bradley. 

The  merchants  of  the  place  were — Ezekiel  Gilbert,  store  adjoining  his 
house,  corner  of  Main  and  Hill  streets ;  Wakeman  &  Stoddard,  (Uri  and 
Thomas,)  store  in  Kinney's  Building ;  and  Andrew  DeForest,  store  in  the 
building  now  kept  by  Mr.  Randall.  Ezekiel  Gilbert  afterward  sold  out  to 
Humphrey  &  Wooster. 

Jeremiah  Coggswell,  an  Indian,  was  shot  on  Great  Hill  Jan.  30th,  1838, 
by  James  Driver,  in  the  house  of  the  latter.  From  the  evidence  at  the  ex- 
amination held  at  Moshier's  tavern  three  days  after  it  appeared  that  Coggswell 
was  drunk  and  quarrelsome,  and  was  killed  in  self-defence. 

There  was  a  gi'eat  flood  Jan.  7th,  and  considerable  damage  done  to  the 
paper-mill  and  other  property. 

Raymond  French's  auger  factory  was  burned  on  the  night  of  the  15th 
of  July,  1841,  but  with  characteristic  energy  he  soon  rebuilt. 

Miles  Culver  built  a  house  on  the  upper  plains.  He  was  a  valuable 
member  of  the  Congregational  Church  and  also  opened  his  doors  to  the 
Methodist  ministers,  services  being  frequently  held  in  his  house  by  Revs. 
Oliver  Sykes  and  Sylvester  Smith. 

The  Humphreysville  Graveyard  Association  was  organized  in  1842. 
Anything  relating  to  the  last  resting  places  of  so  many  of  our  deceased  rela- 
tives and  friends  must  always  be  an  object  of  mournful  interest  and  no  apology 
is  needed  for  copying  here  the  concise  preamble  and  articles  of  association 
from  the  Derby  Records,  Vol.  32,  page  51. 

"Whereas,  B.  W.  Smith,  Samuel  Bassett  and  93  others  formed  an  Asso- 
ciation for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  Village  Grave  Yard,  and  through  Clark 
Wooster,  Joshua  Kendall  and  Wales  French,  a  committee  of  trust,  did  purchase 
on  the  2Gth  day  of  Sept.  1842,  one  certain  tract  of  land  situated  in  Derby  at 
Humphreysville  bounded  and  described  as  follows,  viz:  Westerly  on  highway, 
southerly  on  land  of  Sarah  Holbrook  and  John  Lindley,  easterly  on  the  Nauga- 
tuck  River,  northerly  on  land  of  Jolm  Lindley,  containing  two  and  a  half 
acres — now  therefore  for  the  well  ordering  of  the  affairs  of  said  Association, 
and  acting  under  the  original  articles  of  agreement,  and  in  accordance  with 
an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  state  entitled  an  act  concerning  Bury- 
ing Grounds  and  places  of  Sepulture,  approved  June  2,  1842,  do  for  ourselves 
and  successors  form  a  body  politic  and  corporate  under  the  following  articles 
01  Association,  viz: — 

Art.  1st.  This  Association  shall  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Humphreysville  Grave  Yard  Association. 

Art.  2nd.  The  tract  of  Lan<l  described  in  the  foregoing"  preamble  is  hereby 
appropriated  to  be  forever  used  and  occupied  as  a  graveyard,  and  for  no  other 
purpose,  and  each  original  proprietor  thereof  in  consideration  of  three  dollars 
paid  by  him  or  her  shall  be  entitled  to  one  family  lot  in  said  Grave  Yard  12 
by  21  feet,  and  the  sui-plus  of  ground  shall  be  held  in  common  by  this 
Association  and  may  be  disposed  of  in  such  manner  as  the  Association  shall 
from  time  to  time  direct. 


72  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

Art.  3rd.  No  Proprietor  shall  at  any  one  and  the  same  time  hold  in  his 
own  right  more  than  five  family  lots  in  s**  Grave  Yard. 

Art.  4th.  This  Association  shall  at  any  meeting  called  for  that  purpose 
have  power  to  lay  taxes  and  order  the  collection  thereof  for  the  purpose  of 
defraying  all  needful  expenses  for  repairs  and  improvements,  provided  that 
each  proprietor  shall  be  taxed  according  to  his  right  title  and  interest  in  said 
Grave  Yard.  B.  W.  Smith, 

Samuel  Bassett, 
Humphreysvi)le,  Dec.  14th,  1842.  Buritt  Hitchcock. 

Curtis  Randall,  who  died  Oct.  2nd,  1842,  was  the  first  to  be  buried  in 
the  new  grave  yard. 

The  Humphreysville  Manufacturing  Co.  sold  their  paper-mill  to  Hodge 
&  Co.  Aug.  17th,  1843.  The  firm  consisted  of  G.  L.  Hodge,  S.  Y.  Beach 
and  Samuel  Roselle.  Rev.  Moses  Blydenburg,  pastor  of  the  M.  E.  Chui-ch, 
lived  on  Great  Hill,  the  Great  Hill  M.  E.  Church  being  then  in  a  prosperous 
condition.  The  son  of  this  zealous  laborer  in  his  Master's  vineyard  is  now  a 
prosperous  lawyer  in  New  Haven. 

In  '42  and  '43  Anson  G.  Phelps  and  others  talked  of  building  a  dam  at 
Bryant's  Plain  and  taking  the  water  on  the  west  side  to  Birmingham.  Parties 
along  the  line  of  the  proposed  canal  generally  were  willing  to  sell  at  fair 
prices,  but  one,  a  Mr.  Booth,  who  owned  considerable  land  in  the  proposed 
line,  demanded  such  an  exhorbitant  price  that  the  project  was  dropped  for 
the  time.  Mr.  Phelps,  however,  made  considerable  purchases  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river  in  and  above  what  is  now  Ansonia,  evidently  preparing  in  a 
very  quiet  way  for  the  execution  of  some  imi)ortant  undertaking  which  he 
was  not  fully  prepared  to  announce. 

In  1844,  Raymond  French,  John  Dwight  and  Timothy  Dwight,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Raymond  French  &  Co.,  were  manufacturing  augers, 
chisels,  plane  irons,  &c.,  in  their  mill  at  Blueville,  and  finding  their  busiuess 
increasing  beyond  the  capacity  of  the  mill,  they  put  up  additional  machinery 
in  the  building  at  the  mouth  of  Little  River.  Looking  about  for  increased 
facilities  Mr.  French  went  to  "Kinneytown"  and  called  on  Sheldon  Church, 
who  owned  considerable  land  along  the  river,  and  together  they  rowed  up  and 
down  the  stream,  noticing  the  surroundings  and  capacity  of  the  stream. 
Returning  down  the  stream  he  noticed  a  ledge  of  rocks  in  the  bed  of  the  river. 
Stepping  out  of  the  boat  into  the  water,  which,  was  perhaps  three  feet  in  depth, 
he  walked  across,  to  ascertain  the  extent  of  tlie  ledge.  Finding  it  alibrded  a 
rock  bottom  nearly  the  whole  width  of  the  stream  he  immediately  determined 
that  he  would  build  a  dam  there.  Mr.  F.  immediately  bought  a  large  tract 
of  land  on  both  sides  of  the  river  and  work  commenced  without  delay,  to  the 
gi'eat  surprise  of  the  peoi)le  in  the  village  below,  who  thus  saw  the  fruit  plucked 
while  they  were  talking  about  it.  In  a  few  days  Mr.  Phelps  came  up  and  yi 
his  blandest  manner  congratulated  Mr.  French  on  his  enterprise,  and  wished 
him  success.  After  that  not  a  week  elapsed  during  the  building  of  the  dam 
but  that  Mr.  Phelps  came  up  to  note  the  progress  made.  As  the  work  pro- 
gressed Mr.  French  found  tfiat  the  rock  extended  the  whole  width  of  the 
river,  nuiking  a  sure  foundation  ready  for  the  superstructure.  The  bend  at 
the  west  end  was  made  to  follow  a  turn  of  the  rock.  When  the  dam  neared 
completion  Mr.  Phelps  claimed  a  portion  of  the  power  on  the  ground  of  his 
owning  so  much  land  on  either  side  where  there  was  a  fall  below  the  dam. 
Mr.  F.  had  however  acquired  sufficint  land  on  the  west  side,  as  he  supposed, 
to  answer  his  purpose,  either  by  actual  deed  or  promise.     Capt.  Philo  Holbrook 


1844-7]  SEYMOUR  AXD  VICINITY,  73 

had  not  yet  given  a  deed,  and  probably  without  thinking  of  the  etfect, 
was  induced  to  sell  to  Mr.  Phelps  for  a  trilling  sum  the  right  to  flow  a  small 
stream  back  on  his  land.  Mr.  F.  hearing  of  this  went  below  Holbrook  and 
made  a  purchase  of  William  Church,  from  the  river  to  the  hill,  and  Phelps 
was  checkmated.  The  result  was  that  Phelps  finally  purchased  the  dam 
and  appurtenances  Dec.  5th,  1844,  (D.  R.,  Vol.  32,  p.  53-55,)  and  R.French 
&  Co.  built  the  brick  shops  on  the  west  side  of  Main  street. 

William  Buftum  purchased  the  cotton  mill  from  the  Humphreysville 
Manufacturing  Co.  July  1st,  1845,  for  $12,000  and  the  payment  of  $300 
annually.  The  purchase  included  land  100  by  132  feet,  being  50  feet  on  the 
front  and  rear,  and  10  feet  at  each  end  of  the  mill,  "with  sufficient  water  to 
drive  the  water  wheel  in  a  reasonable  manner  for  the  purpose  of  propelling 
machinery  to  an  amount  suitable  to  the  capacity  of  the  wheel,  using  the 
water  advantageously  and  economically,"  &c.  D.  R.,  Vol.  32,  p.  98.  He 
carried  on  the  business  until  R.  French  &  Co.  sold  their  mill  in  Blueville  to 
DeForest  &  Hodge,  Oct.  31st,  1845,  for  $5,000.  D.  R.,  Vol.  33,  p.  87. 
Portions  of  this  property  had  been  purchased  by  French  &  Upson  of  J.  C. 
Wheeler,  Nov.  21st,  1839,  and  Nov.  12th,  1840;  and  of  Bassett  &  Smith 
Oct.  27th,  1843. 

Some  of  the  tradesmen  of  the  place  were — Robert  J.  Abbott,  Apothecary 
and  Druggist;  David  B.  Clark,  tavernkeepeer ;  John  S.  Moshier,  tavern- 
keeper;  Harrison  Tomlinson,  general  country  store;  Ransom  Tomlinsou, 
dealer  in  meat,  &c. 

The  first  number  of  the  Derby  Journal  appeared  Dec.  25th,  1840,  and 
contained  the  following  appeal  to  the  people  of  the  Naugatuck  Valley  to  aid 
in  the  construction  of  the  Naugatuck  railroad. 

"The  New  York  and  New  Haven  Railroad  Co.  have  contracted  for  the  construe tiou  of  their 
road,  which  is  to  he  completed  within  the  coming  year. 

This  road  will  cross  the  Housatonic  river  a  short  distance  above  the  present  Washington  Bridge, 
and  from  this  point  to  VVaterbury  is  probably  from  25  to  28  miles.  By  following  the  Valley  of  the 
Naugatuck  from  VVaterbury,  or  some  point  above,  to  where  that  stream  unites  with  the  Housatonic, 
and  thence  en  the  bank  of  that  river  to  where  the  line  intersects  the  New  York  road,  a  very  easy 
grade  would  be  obtained,  and  at  a  very  moderate  expenditure.  An  act  of  incorporation  for  this  road 
was  obtained  in  1815,  with  power  to  commence  at  Plymouth  or  Waterbury,  and  to  terminate  at  New 
Haven,  Milford  or  Bridgeport,  after  passing  through  Derby. 

.*  jf  »  *  Much  more  might  be  said  of  the  wants  of  the  Naugatuck  Valley,  as  well  as  of  its 
resources,  its  business,  its  large  amount  of  yet  unused  water-power,  and  its  enterprise,  but  my  present 
object  is  to  direct  attention  to  the  subject,  hoping  that  those  more  conversant  with  it  will  engage  in 
the  cause,  and  especiallj'  our  northern  friends."    Humphreysville  responded  by  subscribing  $40,000. 

The  Mexican  War  created  quite  an  excitement  here  and  the  Humph- 
reysville Greys  volunteered  their  services  to  the  government  to  aid  Gen. 
Taylor.  The  official  document  to  muster  them  into  service  was  received  on 
the  evening  of  Jan.  27th  -and  read  in  the  armory  of  the  Humplireysville 
Greys,  amidst  much  enthusiasm.  The  principal  officers  of  the  company  were 
G.  W.  Divine,  Captain  ;  Charles  W.  Storrs,  1st  Lieutenant ;  Wilson  Wyant, 
2ud  Lieutenant ;  W.  W.  Smith,  Orderly  Sergeant.  The  armory  was  over 
Ezekiel  Gilbert's  store  and  Mr.  Gilbert  came  out  and  said, — "Zach.  was 
whipped  at  one  time,  but  he  didn't  know  it  and  went  on  and  conquered,  and 
he  will  be  our  next  president."  And  he  was,  but  for  some  reason  the  com- 
pany did  not  go  to  Mexico.  Capt.  Divine  had  served  in  the  Florida  War, 
and  Capts.  Wyant  and  Smith  afterward  did  efficient  service  in  the  war  of  the 
rebellion.  Clark  Ford,  now  a  resident  of  Seymour,  was  in  the  9th  New 
England  Regiment,  (Thomas  H.  Seymour,  Col.)  and  is  said  to  have  pulled  down 
the  Mexican  colors  at  Chapultepec.  George  N.  Shelton,  who  was  for  many 
years  a  resident  of  Seymour  and  engaged  in  various  enterprises  here,  was 


74  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  [1847 

appointed  Adjutant  General  by  the  Governor  in  May,  1847.  Kansom  Gay- 
lord,  a  lawyer  from  Massachusetts,  who  had  been  teaching  the  Shrub  Oak 
school,  went  to  Waterbury  and  there  enlisted  as  a  private. 

The  Congregational  Church  was  commenced  in  1846,  (vide,  page  13,) 
and  dedicated  April  20th,  1847. 

Daniel  White  represented  Humphreysville  this  year  in  the  board  of 
selectmen  of  the  town  of  Derby. 

There  were  three  heavy  freshets  in  the  spring  of  1847,  viz:  Feb.  3rd 
and  8th,  and  March  20th. 

The  firm  of  French,  Swift  &  Co.  was  formed  in  1847,  and  April  5th, 
they  bought  the  property  on  Little  Iliver,  now  owned  by  Henry  B.  Beecher, 
of  James  L.  Spencer  for  $1,800.  The  firm  consisted  of  Warren  French, 
Charles  Swift,  John  F.  Marshall,  Lemuel  Bliss,  H.  B.  Beecher  and  H.  A. 
Kadford,  who  were  spoken  of  as  the  "six  partners."  A  farther  purchase  was 
made  from  Clark  Wooster  Dec.  17th. 

A  union  Sunday  school  celebration  of  the  Congregational,  Episcopal  and 
Methodist  churches  was  held  the  first  Thursday  in  September.  The  AVest- 
ville  and  Bethany  Sunday  schools  were  also  invited  and  a  grand  holiday  was 
the  result. 

The  upper  dam  was  commenced  this  year  by  French  &  Dwight,  and  the 
west  abutment  and  wall  were  built. 

The  w^orks  of  French,  Swift  &  Co.  caught  fire  Dec.  Gth,  in  the  finishing 
room,  and  the  flames  spread  rapidly  but  were  subdued  after  considerable  dam- 
age had  been  done. 

Albert  J.  Steele  sold  his  furniture  and  undertaking  business  Dec.  20th, 
1847,  to  Johnson  &  Bassett,  David  Johnson  selling  out  to  E.  F.  Bassett  a 
year  later.  The  salesroom  was  in  the  building  in  the  south  angle  of  Main 
and  Hill  streets,  with  a  shop  on  the  west  side  of  Hill  street,  a  little  above, 
and  another  with  power  in  the  rear  of  the  sawmill,  near  the  falls.  Five 
years  later  Mr.  Bassett  put  up  the  building  on  the  east  side  of  Hill  street  for 
a  shop  and  salesroom. 

Phonography  and  phonotopy  was  taught  by  Charles  Eandall  and  the 
study  was  quite  popular  among  the  young  folks. 

Among  the  members  of  the  Humphreysville  Lyceum  which  met  in  the 
basement  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  the  winter  of  1847-8,  was  Dr. 
Yale,  a  botanic  physician,  who  went  to  California  in  the  time  of  the  gold 
excitement,  and  died  there.  The  name  of  the  Lyceum  was  changed  to  the 
Humphreysville  Literary  Association.  Luzon  P.  Morris  was  the  president. 
Among  the  leading  members  were  J.  Kendall,  John  W.  Storrs,  John  L. 
Daniels,  Clement  A.  Sargent,  George  W.  Divine  and  Henry  Russell. 

The  cornerstone  of  the  M.  E.  Church  was  laid  June  19th,  1847,  and  the 
church  was  dedicated  Jan.  18th,  1848.  The  following  description  of  the 
church  was  published  in  the  Derby  Journal  of  Feb.  3rd : 

The  house  is  Gothic  in  design,  40  by  60  feet  iu  dimensions,  with  a  basement  al- 
most entirely  above  ground  containing  a  commodious  lecture-room  and  two  class- 
rooms. It  has  an  excellent  toned  bell  of  1,150  pounds  weight.  The  slips,  the  ceiling, 
the  altar  and  the  galleries  are  grained;  the  scrolls  on  the  slips  are  of  black  walnut. 
The  base  on  the  pulpit  is  painted  in  imitation  of  Egyptian  marble,  and  the  pulpit 
Sienna  marble.  The  walls,  above  and  below,  are  frescoed.  The  ascent  from  the  base- 
ment to  the  vestibule,  and  from  thence  to  the  galleries,  is  by  a  spiral  stairs  in  the 
steeple  and  turret.  The  windows  in  front,  as  also  those  in  the  steeple  and  turret,  are 
of  stained  glass.    The  sofa,  chairs  and  table,  together  with  the  columns  for  the  pulpit 


1847]  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  75 

lamps  are  of  black  walnut.  The  cost  of  the  building  is  about  five  thousand  dollars. 
In  the  afternoon  of  the  day  of  dedication  the  slips  were  rented,  and  the  Trustees  will 
realize  about  $600  therefrom. 

Mr.  Hotchkiss,  of  Birmingham,  was  the  architect ;  and  he  is  justly  deserving  of 
credit  for  the  plan  of  the  building — the  proper  proportion  and  beautiful  symmetry  of 
which,  favorably  impress  almost  every  beholder.  The  writer  of  this  is  authorized  to 
say  that  the  building  committee  aud  trustees  ef  the  church  take  great  pleasure  iu 
giving  publicity  to  the  feeling  of  entire  satisfaction  which  they  entertain  in  reference 
to  those  who  have  been  employed  in  erecting  the  house — by  the  manner  in  which 
they  have  acquitted  themselves. 

To  the  Builder,  Mr.  Amos  Hine,  of  Woodbridge,  who  has  shown  himself  to  bo 
both  competent  and  faithful.  While  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the  house,  he 
has  apparently  identified  himself  with  the  interests  of  those  by  whom  he  was  employed. 

To  the  Masons,  Mr.  Jerry  Bassett  and  Mr.  Isaac  Davis,  both  of  this  village,  the 
former  for  the  neat  and  substantial  wall  of  the  basement,  together  with  the  steps, 
both  of  which  are  pronounced  second  to  none  in  this  region ;  the  latter,  who  has  done 
himself  great  credit  by  the  manner  in  which  the  walls  were  finished,  in  the  plastering 
and  frescoing,  above  and  below. 

To  the  Painter,  Mr.  Martin,  also  of  this  village,  who  in  the  external  painting  and 
sanding  of  the  house,  together  with  the  internal  work,  has  shown  himself  master  of 
his  business. — The  work  upon  the  pulpit  was  done  at  his  own  suggestion  and  expense, 
and  is  considered  to  be  iu  excellent  taste,  presenting  a  beautiful  contrast  with  the 
base,  as  well  as  the  other  parts  of  the  house. 

The  trustees  and  members  of  the  church  take  great  pleasure  in  acknowledging 
the  donation  of  the  beautiful  black  walnut  table,  valued  at  twenty-six  dollars,  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  Albert  J.  Steele,  of  this  village,  the  workmanship  of  Mr.  David  John- 
son, also  of  this  village. 

Great  praise  is  also  due  to  the  ladies  connected  with  the  "Female  Aid  Society" 
of  this  cTiurch,  and  others  who  have  assisted  iu  the  work,  for  the  neat  aud  tasteful 
manner  in  which  they  have  furnished  the  church. — The  carpets,  the  trimmings  of  the 
pulpit,  the  sofa,  the  chairs  for  the  altar;  together  with  the  lamps,  are  the  result  of 
their  labors,  and  speak  much  for  their  zeal  and  diligence  in  the  cause. 

While  the  members  connected  with  this  church  congratulate  themselves  iu 
having  by  the  good  hand  of  God,  so  comfortable  a  place  in  which  to  worship  the  God 
of  their  fathers,  they  are  not  insensible  to  the  feeling  of  kindness  and  good  will  which 
has  prompted  members  of  the  sister  church  to  lend  a  helping  hand  iu  this  enterprise. 
May  the  good  Lord  reward  them  an  hundred  fold,  in  spiritual  blessings.  C.  S. 

The  strip  of  land  west  of  the  church,  now  surrounded  by  rows  of  ehns 
and  maples,  was  deeded  to  the  Society,  Oct.  31st,  1848,  by  Rev.  Sylvester 
Smith.     D.  R.,  Vol.  35,  page  215. 

"Commencing  at  a  point  on  the  line  of  the  highway  at  the  corner  of  the  land  this  day 
deeded  to  Medad  K.  Tucker,  and  running  easterly  on  sd  highway  line  ^^i^  rods  to  the  line  of 
this  grantee,  thence  southerly  on  sd  grantee'»  line  lij^a  rods  to  a  point  on  Bennett  Wooster's 
line  close  hy  a  maple  tree,  thence  running  the  south  side  of  sd  tree  on  sd  Bennett  Wooster's 
line  '•i'^o'^  rods,  thence  northerly  on  Medad  K.  Tucker^s  line  to  the  place  of  beginning,  said  last 
mentioned  line  being  I^yso  f'ods,  containing  an  area  of  43  rods,  herehy  saving  and  reserving 
to  myself  the  fee  simple  of  sd  land  after  the  sd  church  shall  fail  to  sustain  a  meeting  house 
where  their  house  now  stands,  hereby  only  granting  the  use  of  sd  land  to  sd  church  so  long  an 
the  same  shall  remain  in  the  control  and  direction  of  the  trustees  of  sd  church  during  the 
time  aforesaid  solely  for  the  aeeommodaiion  of  the  Methodist  E.  Society  of  Humphreysville 
and  when  the  sd  Society  ceases  to  7naintain  sd  church  in  the  place  where  it  now  stands,  then 
sd  land  is  to  revert  to  this  Grantor,  his  heirs  and  assigns." 


70  SEYMOUR  AND  VIOINITY.  [1847 

The  subject  of  temperance  was  prominent  at  this  time  and  the  Humph- 
reysville  Total  Abstinence  Society  had  been  organized  for  the  purpose  of 
holding  temperance  meetings  and  in  various  ways  advancing  the  temperance 
cause.  Mr.  Isaac  Losee,  Sen.,  was  the  President  of  the  Society  in  1847. 
There  were  at  this  time  five  liquor-selling  establishments  in  the  place.  In 
April  of  this  year  the  officers  of  the  Total  Abstinence  Society  were  John  L. 
Daniels,  President ;  Joshua  Kendall  and  Julms  Bassett,  Vice-presidents ; 
John  W,  Storrs,  Secretary  and  Treasurer ;  William  Tuthill,  James  L.  Spen- 
cer and  Charles  Swift,  Standing  Connnittee. 

The  other  Temperance  Association,  Eock  Spring  Division,  No.  12,  S.  of 
T.,  was  in  a  flourishing  condition.  In  January  its  officers  were  : — John  W. 
Storrs,  W.  P. ;  Daniel  I.  Putnam,  W.  A. ;  William  W.  Steele,  R.  S. ;  John 
Adams,  A.  R.  S. ;  William  B.  Curtiss,  F.  S. ;  James  A.  Stephens,  C. ; 
David  Tucker,  A.  C. ;  Charles  Swift,  I.  S. ;  Perry  Cadwell,  O.  S.  In  the 
Ml  they  were— John  W.  Storrs,  P.  W.  P. ;  D.  J.  Putnam,  W.  P. ;  J.  A. 
Stevens,  W.  A. ;  John  Adams,  R.  S. ;  James  L.  Spencer,  A.  R.  S. ;  W.  B. 
Curtiss,  F.  S. ;  Wilson  Wyant,  T. ;  David  Tucker,  C. ;  Austin  R.  Pardee, 
A.  C. ;  Wilson  Hendryx,  I.  S. ;  Edwin  Wheeler,  O.  S. 

The  New  Haven  Courier  in  February  contained  the  following  in  regard 
to  the  proposed  Naugatuck  Railroad,  the  building  of  which  was  commenced 
in  April : 

No  business  man  can  doubt  but  that  the  trade  of  20  or  30,000  people  is  worth 
obtaining,  or  that  it  would  be  desirable  to  have  this  city  a  depot  for  the  live  millions 
worth  of  manufactured  goods  annually  produced  in  that  region.  But  the  present 
trade  of  that  valley  id  nothing,  absolutely  hothing,  to  what  ii  will,  and  must,  be  when 
communication  is  opened  by  means  of  a  railroad.  We  have  the  authority  of  the  State 
Surveyor  for  saying,  that  the  facilities  for  manufacturing  on  the  Naugatuck  are 
greater  than  on  any  other  stream  in  the  State,  and  these  facilities  are  not  as  yet  half 
or  quarter  improved.  Besides  the  Naugatuck,  there  is  an  unimproved  power  on  the 
llousatonic,  at  Birmingham,  more  than  twice  as  great  as  all  the  power  at  Lowell,  and 
capitalists  already  have  their  eyes  upon  this,  and  it  will  be  improved. 

The  Saturday  before  May  25th,  there  M^as  a  tremendous  hailstorm  ac- 
companied by  terrific  thunder  and  lightning  and  torrents  of  rain.  The  ground 
was  literally  covered  with  hailstones,  many  of  whicli  were  as  large  as  pigeons 
eggs.  As  described  by  a  writer  of  the  scene,  "It  seemed  for  a  few  moments 
us  if  all  Iceland  had  been  broken  up  and  was  being  showered  down  on  our 
devoted  heads."  One  horse  was  so  fi-ightened  that  he  ran,  throwing  out  its 
driver,  who  was  seriously  injured.  Other  horses  were  so  stupefied  with  fear 
that  it  was  with  great  difficulty  that  their  drivers  could  urge  them  to  places 
of  shelter. 

Leverett  Pritchard  died  June  4th,  in  the  83rd  year  of  his  age.  He  had 
"been  an  inhabitant  of  the  town  from  his  infancy,  and  his  character  ever 
remained  unspotted,  so  much  so  that  his  morality  had  become  proverbial. 
From  his  door  the  friendless  were  never  spurned,  and  from  his  bounty  the 
hungry  were  fed  and  the  naked  clothed.  In  him  the  needy  and  destitute 
found  a  friend."— (Derby  Journal.) 

The  Thursday  before  June  15th  two  men  were  covered  by  a  landslide 
about  a  mile  above  the  village,  where  workmen  were  engaged  in  uuiking  ex- 
cavations for  the  railroad.  One  of  them  was  not  found  until  life  was  extinct. 
Tlie  railroad  bridge  across  the  Naugatuck  was  built  under  contract  by  Dwight 
He  French. 

The  new  hall  of  Rock  Spring  Division,  at  the  west  end  of  the  Nauga- 
tuck Bridge,  was  dedicated  on  the  Friday  evening  before  the  ICth  of  October. 


: 


1848-49]  SEYMOUR  AND  VICmiTY,  77 

George  W.  Bungay  was  tbe  principal  speaker  and  a  poem  was  read  by  John 
W.  Storrs. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  Aug.  1st,  1848,  Gough  made  a  powerful  temper- 
ance speech  in  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  on  Monday  and  Wednesday  evenings 
of  the  same  week  he  lectured  in  the  Congregational  Church. 

The  telegraph  came  following  close  upon  the  railroad,  and  in  November 
was  in  operation. 

In  this  year  Mr.  Hyde  from  Oxford,  N.  Y.,  called  to  see  his  native 
])lace  after  an  absence  of  thirty-four  years.  His  father  had  been  drowned  in 
the  Housatouic  Kiver.  His  mother  was  buried  in  the  Methodist  cemetery. 
His  brother  Abijah  Hyde  was  then  living  in  Quaker  Farms.  Orson  Hyde, 
the  jMormon,  was  a  brother  of  these.  The  old  homestead  was  in  the  corner 
of  the  lot  opposite  Cedar  Kidge  school  house,  now  owned  by  Judge  JMunson, 
The  Hydes  were  remarkable  for  their  good  memories.  Abijah  and  his  brotlier 
from  York  state  were  INlethodists,  and  the  York  state  man  luis  sons  who  ha\'e 
been  noted  as  sclrolars  in  the  JNl.  E.  Church. 

A  young  man  named  Pitt  was  killed  Nov.  11th,  1848,  near  the  Bell 
school  house,  by  the  bursting  of  a  cannon  which  was  being  hred  in  honor  or 
the  election  of  General  Taylor  to  the  presidency. 

Most  of  the  maples  near  the  M.  E.  Church  were  set  out  Oct.  28th,  1848, 
by  Rev.  Sylvester  Smith  and  his  son.  Two  had  been  set  out  on  the  west' side 
of  the  church  some  years  before  by  Alva  Davis. 

Lewis  Bunce  lost  about  $4,000  by  the  burning  of  his  papermill,  Dec.  li,'3, 
1848.  Stock  to  the  amount  of  |075  was  saved  and  he  received  Si, 325 
insurance. 

The  Eimmon  paper  Co.  seems  then  to  have  been  organized,  as  the  D. 
R.,  Vol.  32,  page  30G,  under  date  of  Jan.  27tli,  1849,  refers  to  machinery  of 
the  mill  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  states  that  the  Company  has  a  paid 
in  capital  of  $5,100.  The  stock  was  taken  as  follows  :  Andrew  W.  DeForest, 
GO  shares ;  Burritt  Hitchcock,  06  shares ;  Eli  Hayes,  30  shares ;  Horace 
Riley,  12  shares ;  James  H.  Bidwell,  30  shares  ;  James  Wallace,  20  shares  ; 
A.  W.  DeForest,  Agt.,  10  shares ;  total,  240  shares.  Burritt  Hitchcock, 
president ;  A.  W.  DeForest,  secretary.  Bunce  continued  in  charge  of  the 
mill  which  was  located  near  the  mouth  of  Little  River,  where  the  Douglass 
Manufacturing  Co's  lower  shop  now  is. 

The  establishment  of  Humphreysville  Academy  is  best  recorded  by 
qnoting  from  tbe  prospectus  issued  at  the  time. 

HUMPHREY^SVILLE  ACADEMY, 

HUMPHREYSVILLE,  CONN.. 
GEORGE  B.  GLENDINING,  A.  M.,  and  MRS.  NANCY   H.  GLENDINING,  Princip.\ls. 

The  selection  of  Humphrej'sville  for  an  Academic  Institution,  Las  been  made  not  more  with 
iilt-ieiice  to  the  place  itself  than  to  a  wide  tract  of  the  surrounding  countr}',  for  which  there  have 
(■eenied  te  he  educational  demands. 

Located  in  the  romantic  valley  of  the  Naugatuck,  Humphreysville  is  peculiarly  healthy  ; 
and  distant  oidy  ten  miles  from  New  Haven,  sixteen  from  Bridgeport,  and  eighty  from  New  York — 
with  all  of  which  places  it  is  connected  by  a  railroad  sonn  to  he  in  operation,  it  is  most  easily  accessible. 

For  the  youth  of  the  place  and  the  country  arouml  it,  a  higher  institution  of  learning  has  ap- 
peared to  be  needed  ;  at  the  same  time  regard  has  been  had  youth  of  the  cities,  for  whom  there  may 
be  here  furnished,  in  connection  with  educational  facilities  at  the  most  moderate  rates,  the  safest 
guarantees  for  health  and  morals.  The  course  of  instruction  to  be  pursued  in  Academy  is  designed  to 
meet  the  wants  of  pupils  of  both  sexes,  and  of  various  ages  and  destination.  Whatever  the  pupils 
shall  profess  to  learn  they  will  be  required  to  learn  thoroughlij — superficial  attainments   being 


78  SEYMOUR  AND  VICIKITY.  [1849 

regarded  as  of  little  worth.    *    *    *    Instruction  will  be  given  in  all  the  branches  of  an  English 
education  ;  in  the  Classics— Latin  and  Greek;  in  French  and  Music.    *    *    * 

The  Principals  trust  to  the  fruits  of  their  labors  so  to  commend  them  as  to  gain  for  their 
Academy  an  extended  patronage.  At  their  commencement  they  oifer  their  qualifications,  experience 
in  teaching  and  devotion  to  the  work,  as  pledges  to  satisfy  such  as  may  commit  pupils  to  their  charge. 
In  addition  they  may  refer  to  the  Rev.  W.  F.  Walker,  Rector  of  Union  Church,  Ilumphreysville, 
who  has  known  them  for  many  years  in  their  office  as  teachers;  to  the  principal  inhabitants  of  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  where  for  nine  years  they  taught  successfully;  to  the  trustees  of  Cayuga  Academy,  Aurora, 
New  York,  of  which  Mr.  G.  was  more  than  two  years  Principal;  to  Professor  Mills  of  New  York 
city,  and  to  Professor  Berteau  of  Brooklyn,  L.  I.,  in  whose  institution  Mr.  G.  was  more  than  two 
years  professor  of  Belles  Lettres.  Humphreysville,  Feb.  22ud,  1849. 

Speaking  of  Glendining's  Academy  the  Derby  Journal  said,  "The 
natural  and  picturesque  scenery  with  which  Humphreysville  abounds,  and  the 
quietness  of  the  village,  render  it  exceedingly  well  adapted  for  the  location 
of  an  institution  of  the  kind." 

The  new  comers  were  immediately  received  with  favor.  In  May  the 
Academy  had  already  forty-seven  pupils. 

Buffum's  Cotton  Factory  took  fire  Feb.  22nd,  but  the  flames  werfe  sup- 
pressed before  any  great  damage  was  done.  Loss  about  $20(),  Insured.  A 
portable  lire  engine  which  was  kept  in  the  building  was  made  to  render  good 
service,  the  water  being  carried  from  the  "canal"  to  the  reservoir  of  the  engine 
in  pails  and  then  forced  in  a  stream  against  the  building. 

In  March  Nathan  White  made  an  engraving  of  the  village,  which  was 
spoken  of  by  the  Derby  Journal  as  "very  prettily  gotten  up  and  giving  an 
accurate  idea  of  the  place." 

There  were  in  operation  one  cotton  factory,  three  paper  mills,  French  & 
Dwight's  large  establishment  for  the  manufacture  of  augers,  plane  irons  and 
other  edge  tools;  also  three  other  auger  factories  and  one  ax  factory. 
A  large  building  was  being  erected  for  the  construction  of  cars. 

Thursday  evening.  Mar.  15th,  about  9  o'clock,  French  &  Dwight's  ma- 
chine shop  was  found  to  be  on  fire  and  Avas  burned  with  all  its  contents.  The 
shop  was  an  old  wooden  one  and  was  well  stocked  with  tools,  patterns,  &c. 
Loss  from  $2,000  to  $3,000.  It  stood  on  the  east  side  of  the  canal  whesre  is 
now  the  tinning  shop  of  the  N.  H.  Copper  Co. 

John  J.  Kider  was  licensed  as  taverner  and  all  licenses  to  sell  spirituous 
liquors  were  refused.  Jacob  Carter  lectured  on  temperance  Feb.  12th. 
Julius  Bassett  sailed  for  California  Jan.  23rd. 

Joshua  Kendall,  D.  G.  W.  P.,  installed  the  officers  of  Rock  Spring  Di- 
vision Jan.  13th,  as  follows :  William  B.  Curtiss,  W.  P. ;  John  Adams, 
W.  A. ;  John  W.  Storrs,  R.  S. ;  William  Hughes,  A.  R.  S. ;  Edward  F. 
Bassett,  F.  S. ;  Henry  Patterson,  C. ;  Alonzo  T.  Smith,  A.  C. ;  Edward 
Hotchkiss,  I.  S. ;  E.  Gainsby,  O.  S. 

In  April,  Joshua  Kendall  was  elected  representative  for  the  town  of  Derby, 

The  first  locomotive  came  to  Humphreysville  on  Thursday  afternoon, 
May  10th,  1849 ;  and  the  first  passenger  train  on  the  following  Monday, 
May,  14th. 

Wilson  Weston  had  his  left  hand  and  arm  severely  mangled  June  28th, 
by  the  shears  for  cutting  iron  and  steel,  in  the  works  of  the  Humphreysville 
Manufacturing  Co. 

The  Rimmon  dam  was  commenced   this  summer  by  Dwight  &  French. 

The  society  of  the  "Daughters  of  Temperance"  was  instituted  in  August. 

Friday,  Dec.  lltli,  William  B.  Watson's  horse  was  killed  by  a  loco- 
motive and  his  stage  broken  up. 


1849-50]  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  79 

In  June  the  small  pox  was  prevalent  in  Blueville,  the  dreaded  disease 
having  been  brought  in  rags  to  the  papermill. 

Village  Directory  in  1849. 

Alopathic  Physicians,  Joshua  Kendall,  S.  C.  Johnson,  Thomas  Stoddard. 

Attor7iey,  H.  B.  Munson. 

Augers  and  hit  manufacturers,  Dwight  &  French ;  French,  Swift  & 
Co. ;   and  Hiram  Upson. 

Ax  manufacturer,  Clark  Wooster. 

Boot  and  shoe  dealer,  William  Hull. 

Botanic  Physician,  J.  D.  A.  Yale. 

Clergymen,  Congregational,  William  B.  Curtiss ;  Episcopal,  William  F. 
Walker;  Methodist,  Charles  Stearns  ;  Baptist,  William  Dennisou. 

Cotton  manufacturers,  William  Buflfura,  shirtings,  oOO,000  yds.  yearly, 
consuming  fifty  tons  of  cotton,  and  running  54  looms.  Forty-one  persons 
employed.  Sherman  &  Beardsley  were  manufacturing  stocking  yarn,  batting 
twine  and  carpet  warp. 

Druggists,  James  Davis,  Robert  J.  Abbott. 

Furniture  manufacturers  and  dealers,  Johnson  &:  Bassett. 

Harness  maimer,  Isaac  N.  Martin. 

Justice  of  the  Peace,  Albert  J.  Steele. 

John  Moshier  kept  the  only  livery  stable,  in  connection  with  the  tavern. 

Merchants,  Lyman  Smith,  Lucius  Blackman,  Downs  &  Sanford,  Harri- 
son Tomlinson,  Elias  Hotchkiss,  Humphrey  &  Wooster,  Tuttle  &  Bassett, 
and  Lucius  Tuttle. 

Paper  mahers,  DeForest  &  Hodge,  manufactured  480,000  lbs.  printing- 
paper  yearly ;  Lewis  Bunce,  manufactured  printing  paper,  clothiers'  boards 
and  press  paper;  Smith  &  Bassett,  manufactured  wrapping,  straw  and 
button  boards. 

tStove  and  tinware  dealers,  E.  Lewis  &  Co. 

Tailors,  J.  A.  Stevens,  Charles  W.  Storrs. 

The  Humphreysville  Copper  Co.  was  organized  in  1849  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $40,000.  The  first  issue  of  stock  was  forty  shares  to  S.  C.  Johnson, 
Jan.  23rd.  The  proposal  to  establish  a  coppermill  here  was  first  made  by 
Isaac  Nathans  to  Raymond  French.  Mr.  F.  went  to  New  York  and  made 
inquiries  in  regard  to  the  manufacture  of  copper,  prices  of  stock  and  manu- 
factured goods,  etc.,  and  becoming  satisfied  that  the  business  was  then  a 
profitable  one,  returned  and  organized  the  company.  J.  W.  Dwight  was  the 
first  president  of  the  company.  The  directors,  Feb.  8th,  were — Raymond 
French,  Harrison  Tomlinson,  George  Rice  and  Sheldon  Kinney.  D.  R., 
Vol.  32,  page  309. 

In  the  spring  of  1850  there  was  quite  an  exciting  time  over  the  election. 
The  postmaster,  Mr.  Lum,  had  recently  died  and  Rev.  Samuel  Hickox  was 
talked  of  as  successor,  but  John  W.  Storrs  was  finally  appointed.  The  de- 
cision- being  partly  a  party  matter,  aided  by  religious  preferences  and  preju- 
dices, it  became  evident  in  March  that  the  matter  would  considerably  affect 
the  spring  election.  Thomas  Burlock  of  Ansonia  was  nominated  by  the 
whigs  and  Rev.  Sylvester  Smith  of  Humphreysville  by  the  democrats.  The 
election  was  held  in  the  basement  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Hum- 
phreysville. The  friends  of  the  defeated  candidate  for  postmaster  rallied  for 
Rev.  Sylvester  Smith,  and  while  Mr.  Burlock  confidently  expected  a  majority 
of  125,  ]Mr.  S.  received  a  majority  of  26.     Bm'lock  was  a  great  politician. 


80  SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY.  [1^50 

and  to  be  beaten  by  a  local  preacher  and  a  papennaker,  was  no  less  a  surprise 
than  the  success  of  the  democratic  ticket  in  a  strong  whig  town. 

The  subject  of  dividing  the  town  had  not  been  agitated  until  after  this 
election,  but  now  it  quickly  became  prominent.  Messrs.  Dwight  and  French 
led  in  the  movement  and  Judge  Munson  was  active  in  its  advocacy.  Why 
no  one  proposed  the  name  of  Humphrey  for  the  new  town,  Ave  have  been 
unable  to  learn.  The  bill  to  grant  the  petition  was  prepared  and  printed  with 
the  name  "Richmond,"  but  before  it  was  put  on  its  passage  Judge  Munson 
came  to  Mr.  Smith  and  suggested  the  name  "Seymour."  Mr.  S.  replied, 
"It  is  short,  our  Governor  and  the  Speaker  of  the  House  have  that  name, 
and  it  is  an  eminent  name  in  Connecticut,  and  we  will  have  it  the  name  of 
our  town."    The  bill  was  so  amended  and  ])assed.     Following  is  a  copy  of  the 

^lnirtei[  a(  the  ^own  of  ^mnour. 

General  Assembly,  May  Session,  A.  I).,  1850. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Leman  Chatfield  and  others  praying  for  the  incor- 
poration of  a  new  town,  as  will  fully  and  at  large  appear  by  their  jjetition  on 
tile,  dated  the  th  day  of  April,  1850,  which  petition  has  been  duly  served 
upon  the  town  of  Derby  and  was  duly  returned  to  and  entered  in  the  office  of 
the  Secretary  of  this  State  according  to  law. 

Kesolved  by  this  Assembly.  That  all  that  part  of  the  town  of 
Derby  lying  northerly  of  the  following  described  line,  to  wit:  commencing  at 
the  Housatonic  River,  thence  running  easterly  in  a  straight  line  touching  the 
most  northerly  point  of  Martin  B.  Bassett's  stone  building  on  the  east  bank  of 
said  river,  thence  running  easterly  in  the  same  straight  line  to  the  north  side 
of  the  dwelling  house  now  occupied  by  said  Martin  B.  Bassett,  thence  in  a 
straight  line  easterly  to  the  stone  bridge  in  the  highway,  about  twenty-tive 
rods  Avesterly  of  the  house  occupied  by  Pearl  Carpenter,  thence  from  said 
bridge  following  down  the  brook  that  runs  under  said  bridge,  till  it  empties 
into  the  Naugatuck  River,  thence  from  the  mouth  of  said  brook  easterly,  in 
a  straight  line  to  the  intersection  of  the  line  dividing  the  town  of  Wood- 
bridge  from  the  town  of  Derby  with  the  centre  line  of  the  Rimmou  Falls 
Turnpike  road  ;  with  all  the  inhabitants  residing  therein,  be,  and  the  same 
hereby  are  incorporated  into  a  distinct  town  by  the  name  of  Seymour,  and  the 
inhabitants  aforesaid,  and  their  successors  forever,  residing  within  said  limits 
shall  have  and  enjoy  all  the  powers,  privileges  and  immunities  which  aie 
enjoyed  by  other  towns  in  this  State,  Avith  the  privilege  of  sending  one  rei)re 
sentative  to  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State. 

Said  new  town  shall  sujjport  all  bridges  within  their  bounds,  (except  such 
as  belong  to  turnj)ike  companies  or  other  cori)orations  or  individuals  to  suppoit) 
and  "be  released  from  supporting  any  bridges  without  the  limits  of  said  new 
town;  shall  pay  and  perform  their  proportion  of  the  }»resent  debts  and  liabilities 
of  Derby,  and  be  allowed  the  same  proportion  of  its  credits,  including  the  like 
proportion  of  the  town  (le])osit  fund,  and  the  same  ju-oportion  of  interest  in  the 
almshouse  laml;  and  shall  take  and  su])i)ort  their  proportion  of  the  present 
town  poor  of  said  town  of  Derby;  the  pro])ortion  of  the  said  ncAV  town  in  all 
the  respects  aforesaid  being  as  the  list  of  that  part  of  the  new  town  taken  from 
the  town  of  Derby  for  the  year  1819,  bears  to  the  whole  list  of  Derby,  in  the 
same  year ;  and  the  selectmen  of  the  said  town  of  Derby  and  Seymour  are 
hereby  emi)owered  to  apportion  and  di^'ide  the  present  town  poor,  the  debts. 


1850]  SEYMOUR  AXD  VICINITY.  81 

credits,  town  funds  and  almshouse  land  aforesaid,  according  to  the  rule  afore- 
said ;  and  in  case  they  should  not  be  able  to  agree,  then  such  apportionment 
shall  be  made  by  Samuel  Meigs,  Esquire,  of  Oxford,  whose  decision  shall  be 
final.  And  said  town  poor  when  so  apportioned,  shall  be  settled  inhabitants 
for  all  purposes  in  the  respective  towns  to  which  they  are  set  and  said  new 
town  shall  be  liable  to  maintain  all  such  poor  of  the  town  fi-om  which  it  is 
taken,  as  are  or  may  be  absent  therefrom  ;  provided,  such  poor  person  or  per- 
sons at  the  time  of  their  departure  belonged  to  the  portion  of  said  town  of 
Derby  hereby  incorporated,  or  were  residents  therein  as  settled  inhabitants  at 
the  time  of  such  departure  therefrom. 

Resolved  further^  That  the  collector  of  town  and  state  taxes  of  said 
Derby,  be  hereby  authorized  lo  collect  the  several  taxes  already  laid,  in  the 
same  manner  as  though  this  act  had  not  passed. 

Resolved  further^  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  new  town  to  assume 
and  perform  the  contracts  and  liabilities  now  subsisting  between  the  town  of 
Derby  and  any  other  person  or  persons  for  keeping  in  repair  such  i)ortion  of 
the  roads  of  the  old  town  of  Derby  as  lie  within  the  limits  of  said  new  town, 
and  to  save  the  said  old  town  from  all  expense  therefrom. 

Resolved  further^  That  the  mileage  of  the  said  town  of  S<'ymour  to 
Hartford  be  forty-five  miles,  and  to  New  Haven  be  eleven  miles. 

Resolved  further^  That  the  first  meeting  of  said  town  of  Seynmur  shall 
be  held  on  the  fourth  Monday  of  June,  1850,  at  the  basement  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church  at  Humphreys  Ville,  in  said  town  of  Seymour  ;  and 
Leman  Chatfield,  Esquire,  (and  in  case  of  his  failure  to  attend  the  same, 
Harris  B.  Munson,  Esquire,)  shall  be  moderator  of  said  meeting;  and  said 
meeting  shall  be  warned  by  setting  up  a  notification  of  the  same  on  a  sign 
post  hereby  established  at  the  east  end  of  the  bridge  over  Naugatuck  River, 
at  said  Humphreys  Ville,  and  at  such  other  place  or  places  as  said  persons 
or  either  of  them  deem  proper,  at  least  five  days  before  said  meeting.  And 
said  town  of  Seymour  shall  at  said  first  meeting,  have  all  the  powers  incident 
to  other  towns  in  the  State,  and  full  right  to  act  accordingly,  to  elect  town 
officers ;  and  the  officers  so  elected  at  such  meeting  shall  hold  their  offices 
until  others  are  chosen  and  sworn  in  their  stead. 

STATE  OF  CONXECTICUT,  s  s.  »      I  hereby  certify  that  the  foregoing 
Office  of  Secretary  of  State,         |  is  a  true  copy  of  record  in  this  office. 
In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  atfixed  the  Seal  of 
said  State,  at  Hartford,  this  12th  day  of  September,  A.  D.,  1850. 

J  NO.  P.  C.  MATHEE,  Secretary  of  State. 

January,  1850,  was  a  remarkably  warm  month,  and  in  the  following 
month  the  snows  were  followed  by  heavy  rains,  raising  the  streams  and  caus- 
ing considerable  damage.  In  the  fi'eshet  of  Feb.  10th  and  11th  the  lower 
bridge  was  considerably  damaged  and  narrowly  escaped  being  carried  away. 
There  was  also  a  high  flood  March  1st. 

The  w'ater  lease  of  S.  Y.  Beach's  papermill  expiring  in  this  year,  it  was 
pulled  down  and  removed  to  its  present  location  on  Bladen's  brook.  Paper - 
making  was  discontinued  .June  15th  and  resumed  Sei)t,  2nd. 

A  town  meeting  was  held  June  21tli  in  the  basement  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
as  provided  by  the  charter,  Leman  Chatfield  presiding  as  moderator.  The 
principal  officers  of  the  new  town  were  as  follows: 

(■Selectmen,  Leman  Chatfield,  Daniel  L.  Holbrook,  Thomas  Cochran. 


82  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  [1850-52 

Town  Cleric^  Charles  B.  AVooster ;  Town  Treasurer^  Sylvester  Smitli. 

Grand  Jurors^  Burton  W.  Smith,  Thomas  Stoddard,  George  L.  Hodge, 
Abel  Holbrook,  Charles  L.  Hyde,  Walter  B.  Clark. 

Constables^  George  H.  Merrick,  Philo  Beecher,  Oliver  H.  Stoddard, 
Hiram  P.  Johnson,  Roswell  Humaston,  John  J.  Rider. 

Committee  on  Roads,  Sheldon  Kinney,  Daniel  L.  Holbrook. 

Tithingmen,  Church  Society — Burton  W.  Smith,  Sheldon  Hurd,  Isaac 
Lindley  ;  Methodist  Society — John  L.  Hartson,  Jarvis  Polly ;  Congregational 
Society — Medad  K.  Tucker,  William  H.  Tuthill ;  Baptist  Society— Sharon 
Y.  Beach,  George  L.  Hodge;  Great  Hill  Methodist  Society — William  C. 
Smith,  Roswell  Humaston. 

The  second  town  meeting  was  lield  in  the  basement  of  the  Congrega- 
tional Church,  Oct.  30th,  1850.  Leman  Chatfleld,  Daniel  L.  Holbrook  and 
Thomas  Cochran  were  elected  selectmen  ;  Charles  B.  Wooster,  town  clerk ; 
and  Burton  W.  Smith,  town  treasurer. 

At  the  electors'  meeting  held  Mar.  31st,  1851,  Bennett  Wooster  was 
elected  the  iirst  representative  of  the  Town  of  Seymour  to  the  General 
Assembly. 

The  Baptist  Society  was  organized  in  March,  1848,  Rev.  William  Den- 
nisou,  from  White  Hills,  in  charge.  The  church  on  Maple  street  was  built 
in  1851.     Tythingmen  were  last  elected  for  the  church  in  October,  1859. 

A  union  Sunday  school  festival  was  held  Aug.  28th  by  the  Baptist, 
Congregational,  Episcopal  and  Methodist  Sunday  schools. 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  held  Oct.  Gth,  the  selectmen,  town  clerk 
and  treasurer  were  re-elected. 

At  a  special  town  meeting  held  in  January,  1852,  it  was  voted  to  build 
a  new  bridge  over  the  Naugatuck,  near  Moshier's  tavern,  and  Isaac  B.  Davis, 
Philo  Holbrook  and  Raymond  French  were  appointed  building  committee. 

At  the  spring  election.  Rev.  Sylvester  Smith  was  elected  representative, 
receiving  217  of  the  354  votes  cast.  The  following  persons  were  elected 
justices  of  the  peace: — Harris  B.  Munson,  Leman  Chatfield,  Sharon  Y. 
Beach,  Isaac  B.  Davis,  Charles  B.  Wooster,  Philo  Holbrook,  George  P. 
Shelton,  Daniel  L.  Holbrook,  Samuel  R.  Hickox,  Eli  S.  Cornwall. 

At  the  town  meeting  in  the  basement  of  the  Congregational  Church  in 
October,  Daniel  Holbrook  was  elected  first  selectman  but  declined  to  serve 
another  year.  Isaac  B.  Davis,  Sharon  Y.  Beach  and  Harpin  Riggs  were 
then  elected  and  Burton  W.  Smith  was  elected  treasurer.  A  resolution 
was  passed  authorizing  the  layout  of  a  street  past  the  house  Denzel  Hitchcock, 
now  known  as  High  Street,  also  accepting  Humphrey  street  as  highway.  The 
following  resolution  Avas  adopted: 

Voted,  that  all  Horses  and  Cattle  be  restrained  from  going  at  large  upon  the  highways  and  I 
commons  in  Seymour  (except  that  any  man  owning  one  cow  only  can  by  permission  from  any  one 
selectman,  let  her  run  at  large  provided  she  has  a  strap  on  her  neck  with  the  owners  name  on)  and  if  I 
so  found  going  at  large  shall  be  liable  to  be  impounded  and  that  the  penalty  for  each  animal  so  im- 
pounded shall  be  seventy-live  cents,  two  thirds  of  which  sum  to  be  paid  to  the  person  or  persons  so 
impounding  the  same,  by  the  owner  or  owners  of  the  animal  or  animals  so  impounded,  and  one-third 
to  the  pound  keeper. 

Voted,  that  Sheep  and  Swine  be  restrained  from  going  at  large  upon  the  highways  and  commons 
in  said  town,  and  if  so  found  going  at  large  shall  be  liable  to  be  impounded,  and  the  penalty  for  each 
Sheep  or  Swine  so  impounded  shall  be  twenty-five  cents,  to  be  paid  to  the  person  or  persons  so  im- 
pounding the  same  by  the  owner  or  owner  of  the  Sheep  or  Swine  so  impounded  eighteen  cents,  and 
to  the  pound-keeper  seven  cents. 

Voted,  that  Geese  be  restrained  from  going  at  large  upon  the  highways  or  commons  in  said  to(vn, 


1852-54]  SEYMOUR  AXD  VICINITY.  83 

aud  if  so  found  going  at  large  sjiall  be  liable  to  be  impounded,  and  the  penalty  for  each  Goose  so 
impounded  shall  be  eight  cents,  one-half  of  which  shall  be  paid  to  the  person  impounding  the  same 
and  the  other  half  to  the  pound-keeper,  by  the  owner  or  owners  of  the  geese  so  impounded. 

Voted  that  any  inhabitant  of  said  town  may  lawfully  impound  all  such  creatures  found  going 
at  large  as  aforesaiu,  aud  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  person  or  persons  impounding  the  same  to  give 
notice  thereof  to  the  owner  or  owners  of  such  creatures,  if  known,  within  twenty-four  hours  after  im- 
pouu<ling  the  same,  aud  in  case  the  owner  or  owners  of  such  impounded  creatures  he  not  known  by 
the  impounder,  to  inform  forthwith  one  of  the  Constables  of  said  town,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  proceed 
in  the  same  manner  as  is  by  law  prescribed  for  Constables  when  they  are  informed  that  creatures  are 
impounded  for  doing  damage  upon  land,  and  the  owners  thereof  is  not  known,  and  said  Constable 
shall  be  entitled  to  his  lawful  fees  in  the  same  manner  as  for  creatures  doing  damage  upon  land, 
provided  that  nothing  in  this  vote  or  By-Law  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  the  owner  or  owners 
of  such  creatures  from  redeeming  them  from  the  person  or  persons  while  driving  them  to  pound,  by 
paying  the  drivers  fees. 

Voleil,  that  the  foregoing  By-Law  be  eflectual  from  and  after  the  2Cth  day  of  November,  18.V2, 
until  the  tirst  Monday  in  October,  ]8.")3. 

Voted,  that  the  town  clerk  be  directed  to  cause  the  foregoing  By-Law  to  be  published  four  weeks 
successively  in  the  Columbian  Register  printed  in  New  Haven,  also  in  the  New  Haven  Palladium. 

This  by-law  was  re-enacted  in  1853  and  the  penalties  increased  one-fourth. 
In  1854  it  was  repealed. 

The  vote  of  the  town  for  presidential  electors,  Nov.  2nd,  1852,  was — 
democratic,  258;  whig,  105;  free  soil,  4. 

The  Humphreysville  Copper  Co.  was  re-organized  in  1852  and  the  capital 
increased  from  $100,000  to  $200,000  by  the  addition  of  4,000  shares  of  $25 
each.  S.  R.,  Vol.  3,  p.  123.  The  President  of  the  company  certified  that 
the  whole  amount  had  been  paid  in  Feb.  2nd.  A  large  part  of  the  stock 
was  taken  in  Humphreysville,  the  bank  taking  700  shares.  The  directors  of 
the  company  then  were— William  Cornwall,  Timothy  Dwight,  George  F. 
DeForest,  Charles  Durand  and  Harrison  Tomlinson.  In  February,  1853, 
the  directors  were=John  W.  Dwight,  William  Cornwall,  Timothy  Dwight, 
Charles  Durand,  Nathan  Peck,  Jr.,  of  New  Haven,  Raymond  French,  George 
F.  DeForest,  Harrison  Tomlinson  and  Sheldon  Kenney  of  Seymour.  The 
works  were  greatly  enlarged  and  the  business  increased.  Up  to  this  time 
the  business  had  proved  very  lucrative,  but  after  the  enlargement  the  profits 
decreased  and  the  stock  finally  went  down. 

At  the  electors'  meeting  in  April,  1853,  H.  B.  Munson  was  elected  rep- 
resentative by  a  majority  of  82  in  a  total  vote  of  329. 

Prof.  Gay,  a  gTaduate  of  Yale,  opened  a  "high  school"  in  Glendinning 
Hall  in  August. 

At  the  October  town  meeting  Leman  Chatfield,  Harpin  Riggs  and  Jabez 
E.  Pritchard  were  elected  selectmen,  and  B.  W.  Smith,  town  treasurer. 

On  Sunday,  Nov.  13tli,  there  was  a  heavy  rain  all  day,  and  during  the 
afternoon  the  river  rose  rapidly,  until  it  was  seventeen  feet  and  three  inches 
above  low  water  mark  at  Derby.  Such  a  flood  had  not  been  known  for  many 
years,  the  water  was  said  to  have  been  four  feet  deep  in  the  coppermill.  The 
south  half  of  the  railroad  bridge  was  carried  away,  with  the  south  abutment, 
and  many  other  bridges  above  and  below  Seymour,  including  those  at  Pines- 
bridge,  Beacon  Falls  and  Ansonia.  In  the  evening  the  Ansonia  bridge  was 
carried  away,  and  with  it  a  young  couple  whose  cries  were  heard  far  down 
the  river,  but  all  attempts  to  rescue  them  in  the  darkness  were  unavailing. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  Jan.  8th,  1854,  there  was  another  freshet  which 
again  swept  otf  the  railroad  bridge  and  also  the  dam  of  French,  Swift  &  Co. 
The  next  forenoon  the  dam  which  stood  a  little  above  M'here  the  rubbermill 
dam  now  is  was  carried  awav.     It  continued  to  be  an  unusuallv  rainv  season 


84  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  [1854-57 

for  two  months,  and  the  July  and  August  following  were  as  exceptional!}-  dry. 

At  the  elector's  meeting  in  April,  H.  B.  Munson  was  elected  representa- 
tive by  a  majority  of  Go  in  a  total  vote  of  293,  and  S.  Y.  Beach,  Lemau 
Chatfield,  Isaac  B.  Davis,  Samuel  R.  Hickox,  Daniel  L.  Holbrook,  Philo 
Holbrook,  H.  B.  Munson,  Luzon  B.  Morris,  George  P.  Shelton  and  Charles 
B.  Wooster,  justices  of  the  peace. 

From  Thursday,  April  22nd,  to  the  following  Sunday  morning  there  was 
heavy  and  continuous  rain,  resulting  in  a  flood  on  Sunday,  when  the  water 
rose  eight  or  ten  inches  higher  than  in  the  November  freshet.  Great  damage 
Avas  done  throughout  the  valley.  J3erby  Avenue  was  washed  out  from  Broad 
street  to  Pine  to  the  depth  of  three  feet.  The  water  at  Derby  was  19  feet  S\ 
inches  above  low  water  mark.  A  special  town  meeting  was  called  and  a 
vote  passed  to  build  a  breakwater  at  the  west  end  of  Broad  street  and  to  fill 
Derby  Avenue  where  washed  out.  The  work  was  done  immediately  and  so 
substantially  that  there  has  been  no  farther  trouble  at  that  point. 

Feb.  7th,  1855,  the  mercury  stood  12°  below  zero,  and  the  11th,  10° 
below.  At  the  April  election  Luzon  B.  Morris  was  elected  representative  by 
a  majority  of  45  in  a  total  vote  of  315.  In  October  Jabez  E.  Pritchanl, 
Henry  Bradley  and  Philo  Holbrook  were  elected  selectmen,  and  B.  W. 
Smith,  treasurer.  Charles  B.  Wooster  was  town  clerk  from  the  first  election 
after  the  incorporation  of  the  town  until  he  removed  to  New  Haven  in  the 
winter  of  18G2-63. 

The  winter  of  1855-C  was  remarkably  severe.  The  snow  lay  from 
eighteen  inches  to  two  feet  in  depth  all  through  January,  '50.  The  mercury 
stood  13°  below  zero  Jan.  9tli  at  7  a.  m.,  8°  below  Mar.  4th,  and  10°  below 
Mar.  14th.  The  next  summer  was  unusually  warm.  June  23rd  the  mercury 
stood  at  100°  in  the  shade,  and  the  17th  of  July  at  102°. 

At  the  A])ii|il  election  Luzon  B.  Morris  was  elected  representative  by  a 
majority  of  58  votes.  The  justices  elected  were  H.  B.  Munson,  Henry 
Bradley,  C.  B.  Wooster,  Philo  Holbrook,  D.  L.  Holbrook,  Sheldon  Church, 
L.  B.  Morris,  David  Beach,  B.  W^.  Smith  and  Joseph  Chipman. 

A  vote  was  taken  upon  the  proposition  to  change  the  name  of  the  town 
from  Seymour  to  Humphrey,  the  change  being  defeated  by  a  vote  of  117  to  81. 

At  the  October  election  of  1856,  Sheldon  Church,  Miles  Culver  and 
Daniel  L.  Holbrook  Avere  elected  selectmen ;  Hiram  W.  Randall,  town 
treasurer ;  and  George  F.  DeForest,  Philo  B.  Buckingham  and  Luxon  B. 
Morris,  school  visitors.  This  was  the  first  election  of  school  visitors  by  the 
town.  Previous  to  this  time  they  had  been  elected  by  the  School  Societies, 
of  which  there  two,  the  first  comprising  the  school  districts  on  the  east  side 
uf  the  river,  and  the  second  the  districts  on  the  west  side. 

Land  was  purchased  of  Alfred  Blackman  by  Rev.  James  Lynch  of  Bir- 
mingham, Sept,  24th,  1851,  for  a  Roman  Catholic  Church.  The  laud  was 
deeded  to  Rt.  Rev.  Bernard  O'Riley  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  June  5th,  1855. 
Work  was  commenced  in  the  fall  of  1855,  and  the  edifice  completed  and 
dedicated  in  the  fall  of  185G. 

A  vote  for  presidential  electors,  Nov.  4th,  1856,  was— democratic,  192  ; 
republican,  129  ;  et  al,  6. 

Jan.  22nd,  1857,  at  7  a.  m.,  the  mercurv  was  4°  below  zero ;  23rd, — 13°; 
24th,— 23°  5  25th,— 10°;  26th,— 20°. 

There  was  a  great  freshet  Feb.  7th,  the  water  at  Derby  being  22  feet  3 
inches  above  low  water  mark.  The  Housatonic  bridge  at  Birmingham  was 
carried  away.  Henry  C.  Johnson  was  elected  representative  in  April  by  a 
majority  of  41.     The  "Bank  of  North  Am(M-ica,"  corner  of  Main  and  Maple 


SEYMOUK  AND  VICINITY.  85 

streets,  bad  been  incorporated  in  1851  witb  a  capital  of  $100,000.  In  1854 
tbe  General  Assembly  autliorized  an  increase  of  tbe  capital  stock  to  $200,000, 
but  tbe  increase  seems  not  to  liave  been  made,  as  on  tbe  1st  of  January,  1850, 
George  F.  DeForest,  tbe  president  of  tbe  banlv,  reported  tbe  stock  wortb  only 
$116^775.  In  June,  1850,  an  addition  of  $100,000  to  tbe  stock  was  autliorized, 
and  in  June,  1860,  permission  was  given  to  remt)ve  tbe  bank  to  Ansonia.  Tbe 
name  was  cbanged  to  Ansonia  Bank  in  1801. 

Tbe  Naugatuck  Railroad  Company  was  incorporated  in  1815.  Timotby. 
Dwigbt,  William  DeForest  and  and  Anson  G.  Pbelps  being  among  tbe 
petitioners  for  tbe  cbarter.  Tbe  capital  stock  was  at  first  $000,000  witb  tbe 
privilege  of  increasing  to  one  million  dollars.  Tbe  time  in  wbicb  tbe  road 
was  to  be  built  was  extended  in  1818  and  1853,  and  tbe  stock  increased  to 
$2,000,000. 

Tbe  Eagle  Manufocturing  Co.  was  organized  June  27tb,  1850,  witb  a 
stock  of  $50,000,  for  tbe  manufacture  of  goods  from  silk,  wool  and  cotton. 
Geo.  Rice  was  tbe  first  president  of  tbe  company.  Tbe  stock  was  increased 
to  $100,000  Oct.  28,  1852;  Geo.  F.  DeForest,  president.  In  January,  1855, 
Geo.  P.  Sbelton,  pres.,  and  Harrison  Tomlinson,  sec,  certified  to  estimated 
losses  of  $27,000  and  assetts  of  $12,000,  tbe  indebtedness  of  tbe  company  being 
about  $00,000. 

In  1851  tbe  capital  stock  of  tbe  Hurapbreysville  Manufacturing  Co.  was 
estimated  at  $.300,000,  and  tbe  estimate  was  approved  by  a  committee  of  tbe 
Legislature.  Pr.  Acts,  Vol.  4,  p.  803.  In  1859  tbe  stock  was  reduced  to 
$150,000  by  tbe  distribution  of  property  to  tbe  stockbolders. 

Tbe  Hurapbreysville  Higb  Scbool  Association  was  incorporated  in  1851, 
as  follows : 

Sec.  1.  Besolred  hy  this  Assembly,  That  Raymond  French,  Harrison  Tomlinson,  Georjjo 
F.  DeForest,  Lucius  Tuttle,  Eli  S.  Cornwall,  Samuel  Bassctt.  Philo  B.  Buckingham,  E.  F.  Bassett, 
George  II.  Merick,  Neheraiali  Robbiiis,  Oliver  II.  Stodtlaril,  Clark  Wooster,  and  all  otliers,  who  now 
are,  or  shall  hereafter  become  associated  with  them,  and  their  successors  and  assigns,  be,  and  the)^ 
are  hereby  constituted  a  body  politic  and  corporate,  by  the  name  of  "The  Seymour  High  School 
Association,"  and  by  that  name  they  are  herebj'  authorized  and  empowered  to  purchase,  take,  hold, 
occupy  and  enjoy,  notes,  bonds,  mortgages  and  estate,  real  and  personal,  to  an  amount  not  exceeding 
twenty  thousand  dollars ;  and  the  same  to  sell,  transfer  and  convey  at  their  pleasure;  and  shall  also 
be  capable  of  suing  and  being  sued,  pleading  and  being  impleaded,  defending  and  being  defended  in 
any  lawful  court;  to  have  perpetual  succession,  and  to  have  a  common  seal,  and  the  same  to  alter 
at  pleasure. 

Sec.  2.  The  stock  of  said  corporation,  consisting  of  the  building  or  buildings,  for  the  use  of 
said  high  school,  such  as  may  be  from  time  to  time  erected,  together  with  the  lands  which  now  arc, 
or  may  hereafter  be  owned  by  said  corporation;  and  all  moneys,  funds,  notes,  bonds,  mortgages,  real 
and  personal  estate  of  any  description,  which  now  belong,  or  may  hereafter  belong  to  said  corporation , 
excepting  donations,  legacies,  devises  and  bequests,  shall  be  divided  into  shares  of  twenty-live  dollars 
each;  and  each  share  shall  entitle  the  holder  thereof  to  one  vote  at  all  meetings  of  said  corporation; 
and  said  shares  .shall  be  deemed  and  held  to  be  personal  estate,  and  shall  be  transferable  in  such 
manner  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  the  by-laws,  rules  and  regulations  of  said  corporation. 

Sec.  3.  For  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  said  corporation,  the  members  thereof  shall,  at 
their  first  meeting,  elect  five  trustees,  who  shall  hold  their  office  for  the  term  of  one  year,  at  least, 
from  the  time  of  their  election,  and  until  others  may  and  shall  be  chosen  by  said  corporation,  to  su])- 
ply  their  places ;  said  trustees  shall  have  power  to  fill  any  vacancies  which  may  occur  in  their  number, 
during  the  time  of  holding  their  office ;  they  shall  have  the  immediate  management  and  control  of 
tbe  funds,  property,  and  general  concerns  of  said  corporation,  receive  and  disburse  all 
moneys  belonging  to  said  Institution;  regulate  the  course  of  instruction  and  the  price  of 
tuition,  and  if  they  think  proper,  prescribe  the  terms  of  admission  of  scholars  ;   they  shall  have  the 


86  SEYMOUR  AKD  VICINITY. 

power  of  enacting  such  rules  and  regulations  concerning  the  conduct  of  students  while  members  of 
said  high  school,  as  they  may  deem  proper;  and  a  majority  of  them  may,  at  any  time,  expel  or  dismiss, 
or  suspend,  as  the  case  may  require,  such  students  as,  for  any  reasonable  cause,  they  may  consider 
it  improper  to  letaiu  in  the  school;  always  provided,  that  the  by-laws,  rules  and  regulations  shall 
not  be  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  this  state,  or  of  the  United  States. 

Sec.  4.  That  in  all  meetings  of  the  trustees,  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  shall  be  necessary 
to  form  a  quorum  for  transacting  business  of  any  kind ;  and  a  vote  of  the  majority  of  those  present 
shall  be  necessary  to  render  any  act  done  by  them  binding  on  said  corporation. 

Sec.  5.  All  meetings  of  the  trustees  shall  be  called  at  such  times,  in  such  manner,  and  on 
such  notice,  as  the  trustees  by  their  by-laws  shall  prescribe.  And  a  meeting  of  the  corporation  may 
at  any  time  be  called  by  vote  of  the  trustees,  or  by  a  written  request  presented  to  the  secretary  or 
the  trustees  or  corporation,  and  signed  by  members  of  the  corporation,  who  are  owners  of  at  least 
one-third  of  the  stock  of  said  corporation ;  and  each  meeting  of  the  corporation  shall  be  warned  in 
such  manner  as  the  trustees  shall  direct. 

Sec.  6.  In  all  meetings  of  the  corporation,  all  the  stockholders  may  vote  in  person,  or  by 
proxy,  and  one  vote  shall  he  allowed  for  each  share. 

Sec.  7.  The  books  and  records  of  said  corporation  shall  be  always  open  to  the  inspection  of 
any  of  its  stockholders. 

Sec.  8.  The  use  of  such  buildings  as  may  belong  to  said  corporation,  shall  be  under  the 
direction  of  the  trustees,  and  shall  be  appropriated  to  no  other  purposes  than  that  of  a  school,  unless 
by  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  trustees  expressed  in  writing  under  their  hands,  and  prescribing 
the  terms  on  which,  and  the  purposes  for  which,  they  are  to  be  used. 

Sec.  9.  The  members  of  this  corporation  shall  have  the  power  of  appointing  a  committee  to 
consist  of  at  least  two,  to  procure  such  instructors  as  may  be  necessary,  and  agree  with  them  in  re- 
lation to  the  terms  ;  and  in  case  they  shall  neglect  to  do  so,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  trustees  to 
procure  such  itstructors  as  may  be  required. 

Sec.  10.  The  first  meeting  of  the  corporation  shall  be  called  by  George  P.  DeForest,  Es- 
quire, or  in  case  of  his  inability  or  neglect,  by  Raymond  French,  of  the  town  of  Seymour,  at  such 
time  and  place,  and  with  such  notice  as  he  shall  direct;  provided  always,  that  this  act  may  be 
altered,  amended  or  repealed  at  the  pleasure  of  the  general  assembly.  (Pr.  Acts,  Vol.  3,  p.  20. 

In  1852,  Geo.  P.  Shelton,  Raymond  French,  Philo  Holbrook,  Henry  S. 
Mygatt,  Sheldon  Kinney,  George  F.  DeForest,  Harrison  Tomlinson,  John  W. 
Dwight,  John  Clark  and  Sylvester  Smith  were  incorporated  under  the  style 
and  title  of  the  Seymour  Savings  Bank. 

The  Union  Mercantile  Co.,  was  established  Jan.  6th,  1852,  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $4,000,  in  shares  of  $25.  There  were  sixty -four  stock-holders,  taking 
from  one  to  eight  shares  each.  B.  W.  Smith  was  the  first  president  of  the 
company,  and  John  J.  Rider  the  second.  The  store  was  in  the  building  on 
the  north  side  of  Broad  street,  at  the  west  end  of  the  Naugatuck  bridge. 

The  American  Car  Co.  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1852,  with  a  stock 
of  $150,000,  one  half  of  which  was  certified  to  be  paid  in  May  14th,  by  I.  H. 
Lyman,  Pres.,  and  T.  Dwight,  R.  French  and  J.  W.  Dwight,  a  majority  of 
the  directors.  Sey.  Town  Rec,  Vol.  3,  p.  76.  The  stock  was  increased  Sept. 
1st,  to  $200,000.  Of  the  additional  shares  J.  W.  and  Timothy  Dwight  each 
took  800  and  J.  H.  Lyman  400.  S.  R.,  Vol.  3,  p.  82.  Five  large  shops  were 
built  on  the  "flat,"  with  track  laid  to  each,  and  a  large  business  was  done  for 
a  time,  until  the  business  was  moved  west. 

The  Humphreysville  and  Salem  Turnpike  Co.,  organized  in  1825  and 
incorporated  in  1832,  was  discontinued  in  1856, 

The  New  Haven  and  Seymour  Plank  road  company  was  incorporated  in 
1852.  The  parties  named  in  the  act  were  William  H.  Ellis,  Zelotes  Day 
and  William  Hull  of  New  Haven,  Bevil  P.  Smith  and  Thomas  Sanford  of 
Woodbridge,  William  A.  Clark  of  Bethany,  and  Sylvester  Smith  and  Sharon 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  87 

Y.  Beach  of  Seymour.  The  capital  was  not  to  exceed  $100,000,  and  the^ 
road  to  run  from  Seymour  through  Woodbridge  and  Bethany  to  Westville 
bridge. 

The  Woodbury  and  Seymour  Plank  Road  Company  was  incorporated  in 
1852.  Lewis  B.  Candee,  Norman  Parker,  Charles  B.  Phelps,  Reuben  H. 
Hotchkiss,  Lewis  Judd  and  William  Gaylord  were  among  the  first  stock- 
holders. The  road  from  Seymour  through  Oxford  and  Southbury  to  Wood- 
bury is  now  the  only  road  from  Seymour  on  which  toll  is  collected. 

The  Upson  Manufacturing  Co.  was  organized  in  1852  with  a  capital  of 
$6,000,  by  Hiram  Upson,  Horace  A.  Radford  and  Lucius  Tuttle,  for  the 
manufecture  of  augers,  bits,  &c.  The  business  was  carried  on  where  the 
Douglass  Manufacturing  Co's  lower  shop  now  is,  at  the  mouth  of  Little 
River.  The  property  was  sold  by  H.  A.  Radford  to  Charles  Douglass  in 
1859,  The  shop  was  originally  built  by  Timothy  Dwight,  Sr.,  son  of  Pres. 
Dwight,  in  1837,  and  by  his  heirs  sold  to  H.  A.  Radford. 

The  Humphreysville  Copper  Co.,  in  addition  to  their  works  in  Seymour, 
had  a  wharf  and  mill  in  East  Haven,  and  were  in  1853  authorized  by  the 
General  Assembly  to  build  a  breakwater  for  the  protection  of  their  vessels 
from  the  surf  and  winds  while  loading  and  unloading.  Pr.  Acts,  Vol.  4,  p. 
798.  The  stock  was  increased  Feb.  3rd,  1854,  from  12,000  to  16,000  shares. 
The  stock  was  certified  Jan.  30th,  1855,  to  have  been  paid  in  to  the  amount 
of  390,000,  the  property  to  be  worth  $525,000,  and  the  bills  receivable  $75, 
000;  while  the  liabilities  were  $350,000.  A  new  Humphreysville  Copper  Co. 
was  incorporated  in  1855,  (Pr.  Acts,  Vol.  4,  p.  799,)  the  stock  being  placed 
at  $750,000  with  liberty  to  increase  to  any  amount  not  exceeding  $1,000,000, 
and  to  purchase  the  stock  of  the  old  company.  The  parties  named  in  the  act 
of  incorporation  were  John  W.  Dwight,  Wm.  Cornwall,  Geo.  F.  DeForest, 
Henry  Bronson,  Chas.  Durand,  Sheldon  Kinney,  Saml.  K.  Satterlee,  Geo. 
R.  A.  Ricketts  and  Henchman  S.  Soule.  The  New  Haven  Copper  Co.  was 
organized  Nov.  21st,  1855,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $400,000.  John  W.  Dwight, 
president;  Geo.  R.  A.  Ricketts,  secretary.  Mar.  12th,  1850,  J.  W.  Dwight 
and  Wm.  Cornwall  certified  that  the  stock  amounted  to  $300,000,  all  paid  in, 
Dwight  having  4,080  shares,  Cornwall  3,920,  and  Wm.  W.  Goddard  4,000. 
S.  R.,  Vol.  3,  p.  226.  The  statement  of  the  New  Haven  Copper  Co.,  Jan. 
20th,  1857,  claimed  assetts  to  the  amount  of  $615,000  with  $295,000  liabilities. 
7900  shares  of  the  stock  were  in  the  name  of  the  Humphreysville  Copper  Co., 
4000  were  held  by  Wm.  W.  Goddard,  and  the  remaining  100  by  Dwight, 
Cornwall,  DeForest  and  Ricketts.  After  various  changes  the  company  was 
re-organized  in  1872,  the  stock  being  owned  by  Lazarus  Lissberger,  president, 
and  Samuel  Holmes,  Thomas  James  and  Frank  Farrell,  and  under  the  present 
able  management  is  one  of  the  heaviest  (both  literally  and  financially,)  and 
most  reliable  of  the  industries  of  the  town. 

The  Humphreysville  Library  Company  was  incorporated  in  1854.  The 
following  is  the  act  of  incorporation  from  Pr.  Acts,  Vol.  4,  p.  1193-4. 

liesolved  by  this  Assembly,  Sec.  1.  That  P.  B.  Buckingham,  B.  W.  Smith,  G.  H.  Merrick, 
•Rajmoud  French,  Sylvester  Smith,  Samuel  Bassett,  Henry  S.  Mygatt,  Ransom  Tomlins(>n,  AsUbel 
Storrs,  L.  B.  Morris  aHil  Andrew  Bassett,  and  their  associates  and  such  other  persons  as  shall  here- 
after be  admitted  members  of  said  company,  be  and  they  hereby  are  made  a  body  politic  and  corporate, 
by  the  name  of  the  Humphreysville  Library  Company,  and  by  that  name  may  sue  and  be  sued,  and 
have  perpetual  succession,  and  may  have  a  common  seal,  and  may  alter  the  same  at  pleasure,  and 
may  hold  real  estate  to  the  amount  of  one  thousand  dollars,  and  may  increase  their  stock  in  books 
to  the  amount  and  value  of  five  thousand  dollars ;    and  the  stock  of  said  company  shall  be  divided 


88  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

into  such  shares  as  hy  the  by-laws  of  said  company  shall  be  ordained  and  established.  And  the  first 
meeting  of  said  company  shall  be  held  on  the  third  Monday  of  July  next,  at  such  hour  and  place  as 
shall  be  designated  for  that  purpose,  by  notice  signed  by  the  said  P.  B.  Buckingham  and  B.  W. 
Smith,  which  shall  be  served  by  reading  to  each  petitioner,  or  by  copy  left  at  his  usual  place  of  abode 
three  days  previous  to  said  meeting;  and  thereafter  the  annual  and  special  meetings  of  said  company 
shall  be  held  at  such  time  and  place  and  on  such  notice  as  the  by-laws  of  said  company  shall  prescribe. 

Sec.  2.  The  company  at  their  annual  meeting  shall  choose  a  secretary,  a  president,  a  vice- 
president,  a  treasurer  and  seven  persons  to  be  a  board  of  directors,  who  shall  coptinue  in  office  until 
others  are  chosen  to  fill  their  places;  and  if  the  company  shall  hereafter  increase,  the'  board  of 
directors  may  be  increased,  but  shall  at  no  time  exceed  eleven  persons,  exclusive  of  the  president 
and  vice-president,  who  shall  ex  officio  be  members  of  the  board  of  directors. 

Sec.  3.  The  board  of  directors  shall  have  a  general  superinteudance  of  the  library ;  direct 
in  what  manner  it  shall  be  kept,  appoint  a  librarian  and  grant  him  such  compensation  as  they  shall 
judge  necessary,  adjust  all  accounts  and  exhibit  the  same  once  in  every  year  to  the  company,  select 
and  purchase  books  for  the  use  of  the  company,  and  regulate  from  time  to  time  the  manner  iu  which 
books  shall  be  drawn  from  the  library. 

Sec.  4.  The  board  of  directors  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  making  by-laws  relative  to  the 
iise  of  the  company's  books,  and  the  fines,  penalties,  and  forfeitures  to  be  inflicted  for  any  injury  to, 
or  loss,  obstructions  or  undue  detention  of  the  same ;  but  no  such  by-law  shall  be  of  any  force  until  it 
has  been  engrossed  and  posted  up  fourteen  days  in  the  library  room.  Provided,  that  no  fine,  penalty 
or  forfeiture  shall  exceed  the  assessed  value  of  the  book  or  books  so  injured,  lost,  detained  or  destroyed. 

Sec.  5.  No  person  shall  become  a  member  of  the  company  by  purchase,  without  the  consent 
and  approbation  of  the  board  of  directors. 

Sec.  6.  The  proprietor  of  each  share  of  said  stock  shall  pay  annually  into  the  treasury  of 
said  company  one  dollar  on  each  share  held  by  him;  and  if  the  proprietor  of  any  share  or  shares  of 
said  stock  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  make  such  payment  for  the  space  of  thirty  days  after  the  same 
shall  be  due,  and  after  having  been  notified  of  such  neglect,  in  a  manner  to  be  provided  by  the  board 
of  directors,  each  proprietor  neglecting  or  refusing  shall  forfeit  all  his  right,  title  and  interest  in  said 
campany,  and  shall  cease  to  be  a  member  of  the  same. 

Sec.  7.    These  resolves  may  be  altered,  amended  or  repealed  at  the  pleasure  of  the  legislature. 

The  foregoing  outline  of  the  joint  stock  speculations  of  1850 — CO,  made 
from  the  records  with  very  little  comment,  includes  companies  that  have; 
since  prospered  and  been  largely  instrumental  in  building  up  the  place, 
and  others  which  by  the  heavy  losses  inflicted  upon  the  stockholders,  have 
since  intimidated  capital  and  sometimes  hindered  the  development  of  merit- 
orious enterprises. 

A  portion  of  the  town  of  Oxford  was  was  annexed  to  the  town  of  Sey- 
mour in  1854,  as  follows : 

Mesolved  by  this  Assembly.  That  all  that  part»of  the  town  of  Oxford  lying  southerly  of  a  line 
diawn  from  the  town  bounds,  standing  between  the  towns  of  Seymour  and  Oxford  in  New  Haven 
county,  near  the  dwelling  house  of  Mrs.  Sabra  L'ndley;  thence  running  in  an  easterly  direction 
about  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  rods,  to  a  pile  of  stones  on  Diamond  Kock,  so  called  ;  thence 
running  easterly  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  rods  from  the  Naugatuck  railroad;  thence  running 
easterly  to  a  pile  of  stones  with  a  stake  standing  therein,  on  the  town  line  between  said  Seymour  and 
Oxford,  easterly  of  the  dwelling  house  of  Miles  Culver,  and  southerly  of  the  south  end  of  Rock 
Ivinmion,  so  called,  be  and  hereby  is  incorporated  in  and  made  part  of  the  said  town  of  Seymour,  and 
that  the  aforesaid  lines  and  boundaries  be  the  boundaries  1)etween  said  towns.  (Pr.  Acts,  Vol.  4,  p.  12G5. 

From  Conn.  Private  Acts,  Vol.  4,  p.  1314: — 

Upon  the  petition  of  the  Humphreysville  and  Salem  Turnpike  Company,  showing  that  here- 
tofore, to  wit,  at  a  general  assembly  of  the  state  of  Connecticut,  holden  at  Hartford  on  the  first 
Wednesday  of  May,  A.  D.,  1832,  the  said  Humphreysville  and  Salem  Turnpike  Company  was  by  a 
resolve  of  the  general  assembly,  duly  incorporated  by  the  name  of  the  "Humphreysville  Turnpike 
Company,"  with  power  to  construct  a  turnpike  road  from  the  Falls  bridge,  so  called,  then  in  the 
town  of  Derby,  but  now  the  town  of  Seymour,  to  Salem  bridge,  in  the  then  town  of  Waterbury, 
now  Naugatuck,  and  that  said  turnpike  road  was  afterwards  during  the  said  year  last  mentioned 
laid  out  and  constructed  by  said  company,  and  has  ever  since   been  kept   open   for  public  travel  by 


SEYMOUE  AKD  VICINITY.  89 

said  company,  until  on  or  about  the  Isl  day  of  January,  A.  D.,  1853,  wLen  tlie  same  became  useless 
and  valueless  to  said  company,  and  has  ever  since  been  abandoned  by  them,  and  praying  that  the 
said  charter  and  resolve  of  incorporation  may  be  repealed,  as  per  petition  on  file  : 

liesolred  by  this  Assembli/,  That  the  charter  of  the  Huraphrcysville  and  Salem  Turnpike 
Company,  granted  by  a  resolve  of  the  general  assembly,  at  its  May  session,  A.  D.,  1825,  a^id  all 
powers  and  privileges  therein  conferred,  be  and  the  same  hereby  is  revoked  and  repealed. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  General  Assembly  in  185G, 
and  made  of  no  avail  by  the  vote  before  mentioned : 

Bcsolved  by  this  Assembly,  That  the  name  of  the  town  of  Seymovr  be  and  the  same  is  Iiere" 
by  changed  to  that  of  Humphrey,  and  by  said  name  of  Humphrey,  the  said  town  shall  hereafter  be 
called  and  known.  Pror(Werf,  that  this  resolution  shall  not  take  effect  until  the  same  shall  be  ap- 
proved by  a  majority  of  the  voters  of  said  town,  present  at  the  next  annual  town  meeting  of  said 
town,  or  at  some  special  meeting  of  said  town  duly  warned  and  held  for  that  purpose. 

At  the  October  election  Henry  Bradley,  Edwin  Smith  and  Abel  Hol- 
brook  were  re-elected  selectmen;  and  B.  W.  Smith,  town  treasurer ;  Martin 
Kelley,  James  E.  Fisher  and  John  W.  Bassett,  tythingmen  for  the  Episcopal 
Society  ;  Methodist,  Smith  Botsford,  W.  N".  Storrs,  John  E.  Blackman ; 
Congregational,  David  Tucker,  Philo  B.  Buckingham,  Joshua  Kendall ; 
Baptist,  S.  Y.  Beach ;  Eoman  Catholic,  Patrick  Tracey,  James  Eobinson  ; 
Great  Hill  Methodist  Society,  Eli  Gillett,  Clark  Hull.  S.  Y.  Beach  and 
Joshua  Kendall  were  elected  school  visitors. 

January,  1858,  was  noted  as  being  remarkably  warm,  the  mercury 
averaging  nearly  fifty  degrees  higher  than  in  January,  '57. 

At  the  spring  election  Charles  B.  VVooster  was  elected  representative  by 
a  majority  of  fifty-three,  and  \^.  W.  Smith,  Harpin  Eiggs,  J.  J.  Wilcoxen, 
S.  L.  Bronson,  Abel  Holbrook,  C.  B.  Wooster,  Joshua  Kendall,  Ebenezer 
Fairchild,  N.  E.  Wooster  and  Samuel  Eoselle,  justices  of  the  peace.  When 
the  announcement  of  the  completion  of  the  first  Atlantic  cable  was  received 
the  people  of  Seymour,  like  the  people  of  ISfew  England  generally,  united  in 
a  general  rejoicing  by  ringing  of  bells  and  firing  of  cannon. 

At  the  town  meeting  held  Oct.  4th,  the  selectmen,  town  clerk  and  town 
treasurer  of  the  previous  year  were  all  re-elected 'j  the  "poke  by-law"  was 
passed,  and  it  was  voted  to  lay  a  tax  of  20c.  on  the  dollar.  P.  B.  Bucking- 
ham was  elected  school  visitor  for  three  years. 

On  Tuesday,  Jan.  4th,  1859,  the  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  two  and  a 
half  feet.  On  Wednesday,  Aug.  31st,  a  strong  wind,  passing  over  the  place, 
threw  down  the  steeple  of  the  Baptist  church  and  caused  considerable  damage 
in  the  vicinity.  At  the  April  election  Samuel  L.  Bronson  was  elected  repre- 
sentative by  a  majority  of  61.  At  the  October  election  Henry  Bradley, 
Edwin  Smith  and  Abel  Holbrook  were  elected  selectmen,  Henry  S.  Johnson, 
town  treasurer;  and  S.  Y.  Beach,  school  visitor. 

The  waters  of  the  Naugatuck  rose  very  high  Feb.  22nd,  1860,  and  the  ice 
broke  up  and  was  in  many  places  piled  high  on  the  banks. 

At  the  electors'  meeting  held  April  2ud  Carlos  French  was  elected  repre- 
sentative to  the  General  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  179  over  all  other  candi- 
dates. The  justices  elected  were — B.  W^.  Smith,  H.  B.  Munson,  Sheldon 
Church,  David  Beach,  J.  J.  Wilcoxen,  Thomas  James,  Jr.,  C.  B.  Wooster, 
S.  L.  Bronson,  Elliott  Bassett,  John  A.  Cochran. 

At  tlie  annual  town  meeting  held  in  Glendining  hall,  Oct.  1st,  Henry 
Bradley,  Edwin  Smith  and  Stephen  D.  Eusaell  were  re-elected  selectmen; 
Henry  S.  Johnson  town  treasurer;  and  Joshua  Kendall,  school  visitor.  A 
tax  was  laid  of  5i  mills. 


90  SEYMOUR  AND  VICimTY.  [18G1 

The  vote  for  president  Nov.  6th  was — for  Douglass  electors,  98;  Brecken- 
ridge,  98;   Lincoln,  134,  et  al,  4. 

In  April,  1861,  Clark  Wooster  was  elected  representative  by  a  majority 
of  twenty-nine. 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  held  Oct.  7th,  Henry  Bradley,  John  Davis 
and  Stephen  D.  Russell  were  elected  selectmen;  David  Betts,  Jr.,  treasurer; 
C.  B.  Wooster,  school  visitor. 

Abel  Holbrook  was  elected  representative  April  7th,  by  a  majority  of  34 
votes.  The  following  were  elected  justices  of  the  peace:  (3.  B.  Wooster,  B. 
W.  Smith,  H.  B.  Munson,  Sheldon  Church,  E.  R.  Bassett,  J.  J.  Wilcoxen, 
Smith  Botsford,  John  Chatfield,  Edward  Iloadley,  James  Baker. 

SEYMOUR  m  THE  GREAT  REBELLION. 


At  the  first  call  of  the  President  for  volunteers  there  had  been  a  prompt 
response,  many  patriotic  young  men  going  forth  in  the  first  regiments  to 
devote  their  lives,  if  it  should  so  be,  to  their  country,  leaving  home  and  family 
to  face  the  peril  of  a  destructive  war.  As  the  war  progressed  and  call  after 
call  was  made  for  more  men,  it  became  necessary  to  make  greater  eftorts  to 
fill  the  quotas,  and  those  who  remained  at  home  contributed  liberally  to  assist 
those  who  went  to  the  Iront. 

At  a  special  town  meeting  held  Aug.  25th,  1862,  the  following  resolutions 
were  adopted: — 

Resolved^  That  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  be  and  hereby  is  appointed 
to  each  volunteer  soldier  who  has  enlisted  in  any  company  forming  in  this 
town  for  the  military  service  of  the  United  States  since  July  1st,  1862,  or  who 
may  hereafter  enlist  in  such  company  for  said  service  before  the  3rd  day  of 
September  1862,  until  the  quota  of  men  required  of  this  town  under  the  orders 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  or  as  apportioned  by  the  Adjutant 
General  or  Governor  of  this  State,  shall  be  filled,  and  said  sum  herein  before 
appropriated  shall  be  paid  to  each  and  every  volunteer  so  enlisting  immediately 
after  such  volunteer  or  volunteers  shall  have  been  mustered  into  the  military 
service  of  the  United  States. 

Resolved.,  That  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as 
may  be  required,  be  and  is  hereby  appropriated  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the 
foregoing  resolutions  into  effect,  and  the  selectmen  or  town  agent  of  this  town 
are  hereby  authorized  and  instructed  to  procm'e  a  loan  or  loans  on  the  credit 
of  this  town  of  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  not  exceeding  in  the  whole  the 
amount  appropriated  under  these  resolutions  as  may  be  required  to  pay  the 
afor(\sa,id  appropriations. 

Resolved,  That  the  selectmen  of  this  town  be  and  hereby  are  empowered 
and  instructed  to  draw  their  order  on  the  treasurer  of  this  town  for  the  sum 
of  one  hundred  dollars  in  favor  of  each  and  every  a  olunteer  enlisted  as  afore- 
said wlum  such  volunte(n-  or  volunteers  shall  have  been  mustered  into  the 
servici!  of  the  United  States, 

Resolved  J  That  a  tax  of  three  mills  on  the  dollar  be  and  hereby  is  laid 
and  assessed  upon  tin;  Grand  List  of  this  town  next  to  be  completed  for  the 
purpose  of  defraying  the  expens(^  of  the  foregoing  appropriations. 


I 


SEYMOUK  AND  VICINITY.  91 

The  following  additional  resolutions  were  adopted  at  a  special  meeting 
held  Sept.  8th. 

Resolved,  That  in  addition  to  bounties  heretofore  voted  by  this  town  in 
legal  town  meeting,  a  bounty  of  one  hundred  dollars  be  paid  to  each  and  every 
person  who  has  or  may  hereafter  volunteer  from  this  town,  and  has  been  or 
may  hereafter  be  mustered  iuto  the  military  service  of  this  State  or  the  United 
States  since  July  1,  1802,  previous  to  the  draft  ordered  by  the  Governor  or 
Adjutant  General  of  this  State  dated  the  2Gth  day  of  August  1802,  until  the 
quota  assigned  to  this  town  shall  be  completed,  unless  such  volunteer  or 
volunteers  shall  have  already  received  a  bounty  in  accordance  with  a  previous 
legal  vote  of  this  town,  and  that  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to  draw  an  order 
on  the  town  treasurer  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  in  favor  of  each 
person  who  has  or  may  so  volunteer,  when  he  shall  be  accepted  and  mustered 
into  the  military  service  of  this  State  or  the  United  States. 

Resolved,  That  to  carry  out  the  intent  of  the  foregoing  resolutions  the 
sum  of  twenty-five  hundred  dollars  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  required  is 
hereby  appropriated,  and  the  selectmen  are  hereby  authorized  to  loan  on  the 
credit  of  this  town  the  sum  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 

At  a  special  town  meeting  held  Aug.  3rd,  1803,  a  resolution  w^as  adopted 
authorizing  the  selectmen  to  pay  a  bounty  of  $300  to  any  citizen  of  this  town 
who  had  enlisted  or  might  enlist  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  under 
the  provisions  of  the  Act  of  Congress  approved  March  3rd,  1803,  or  who  might 
be  drafted  and  accepted,  and  the  town  treasurer  was  authorized  to  borrow 
upon  the  faith  and  credit  of  the  town  such  sums  as  might  be  necessary,  not 
exceeding  in  all  $9,500. 

In  December  an  additional  appropriation  was  made  of  $105  to  each 
man  who  would  enlist  under  the  call  of  the  President  dated  Oct.  17th,  1803, 
and  for  this  and  also  the  consolidation  of  the  previous  debt,  the  town  treasur- 
er was  authorized  to  issue  six  ],)er  cent  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $10,000. 

At  a  special  town  meeting  held  Sept.  15th,  ('01,)  a  tax  of  thirteen  mills, 
was  voted  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expense  of  filling  the  quota  of  the 
town  under  the  last  call  of  the  President  for  volunteers.  The  money  was  to 
be  kept  in  a  separate  fund  called  the  Soldiers'  Bounty  Fund,  and  to  be  drawn 
upon  for  no  other  purpose.  The  selnctmen  were  authorized  to  draw  an  order 
on  the  fund  for  $300  in  favor  of  each  person  who  had  or  should  enter  the 
military  service  of  the  United  States,  and  be  counted  on  the  quota  of  the 
town,  until  the  <iuota  should  be  filled.  The  selectmen  were  also  instructed 
to  use  all  reasonable  diligence  to  fill  the  quota  of  the  town. 

At  a  special  meeting  held  Dec.  19th,  it  was  voted  that  $3,500  be  appro- 
priated for  the  purpose  of  procuring  volunteers  to  (mlist  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States. 


=^3i©''5s£:5^=^^^§^:^^^^^^^^5s:s''§ifc3 


92  SEYMOUR  AND  VICIXITY. 


LIST  OF  SEYMOUR  SOLDIERS 

OF   THE 


It  is  but  an  act  of  simple  justice  to  keep  in  affectionate  and  lasting  remembrance  tbe  name  and 
fame  of  those  wlio  from  amongst  us  Lave  given  their  lives  that  the  nation  night  live.  It  is  not  for 
us  to  honor  them,  but  it  is  they  who  have  honored  us. — Col.  A.  H.  Fenn. 


Icliabod  E.  Ailing^  Corporal,  Co.  IT,  20th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in 
Aug.  20tb,  1862.     Mustered  out  June  13tli,  1805. 

John  Baldwin^  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  24th,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Julius  Bassetf,  mustered  as  Capt.  Co.  A,  Fifteenth  Conn.  Vols.,  at  Meri- 
den,  July  10th,  1802.     Killed  in  action  March  8th,  1865,  near  Kinston,  S.  C. 

Lorenzo  31.  Bassett,  Co.  A,  First  Artillery.  Mustered  in  Xov.  23rd, 
1863.     Discharged,  disability,  June  17th,  1805. 

Satnuel  Bassett,  Co.  H,  20th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Dec.  16th,  1863 ; 
transfered  to  the  Fifth  Regiment.     Mustered  out  July  19th,  1865. 

Sheldon  Bassett,  Co.  B,  Fifteenth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Mar.  13th, 
1864 ;  transfered  to  7th  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  out  July  14tli,  1805. 

Samuel  A.  Beach,  Sergeant,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered 
in  Aug.  8th,  1802.     Discharged,  disability,  Sept.  9th,  1802. 

Henry  B.  Beers,  Co.  K,  Tenth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Qct.  5th,  1801. 
Discharged,  disability,  Feb.  22d,  1803. 

Bennett  Benham,  Co.  H,  20th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug.  9tli,  1802. 
Mustered  out  June  13tli,  1805,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Hoivard  Bliss,  Co.  11,  20th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug.  20th,  1802. 
Mustered  out  Juue  13th,  1805,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Andrew  Bodfje,  Co,  F,  First  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  Muv  23rd, 
1861.     Wounde'd  at  Battle  of  Malvern  IJill.     Discharged  May  22nd,"  1864. 

George  B.  Bodge,  Co,  F,  Sixth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Sept.  7th,  18(»1, 
Killed  at  the  charire  on  Fort  Wagner,  on  Morris  Island,  S.  C,  July  18th, 
1863. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  9,3 

Xoycs;  E.  Basseft,  Co.  I,  Twentietli  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Mar.  7th, 
18()4.     Transferred  to  Fifth  C.  V.     Mustered  out  July  10th,  18G5. 

Henry  I.  Booth,  Co.  H,  20tli  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aua^.  Gth,  18G2. 
Died  in  Washington,  D.  C,  Jan.  4th,  1803. 

Edward  Bofsford,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19th,  18G4. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  18G."). 

Edward  BoUford,  Co.  E,  Fifth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Julv  22nd, 
18G1.     Discharged  for  disability  Dec.  17th,  18G2. 

Harvey  L.  Botsford,  Co.  H,  20th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug.  5th, 
18G2.     Discharged,  disability,  Feb.  21st,  18G3,  at  Staftbrd  Court  House. 

Henry  I.  Bradley,  Co.  R,  Twelfth  Coiin.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Dec.  19th, 

1861.  Ee-enlisted  Jan.  1,  18G4. 

Matthew  Brassil,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  IGth,  18G4. 
Mustered  out  June  22d,  1865. 

Wm.  H.  Bray,  Sergeant,  Co.  G,  Eleventh  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in 
Dec.  1st,  1861.     Discharged,  disability,  Nov.  29th,  1862. 

Royal  L.  Bronson,  Co.  H,  20th  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Aug.  25th, 

1862.  Died  Mav  4tli,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  Chancellorsville,  Va., 
May  3rd. 

Rodney  0.  Brouson,  Co.  D.,  First  Conn.  Cavalry.  Mustered  in  Nov. 
27th,  1863.     oVlustered  out  Aug.  2nd,  1865. 

Charles  Brown,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19th,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Philo  B.  Bueldnyham,  mustered  in  as  Major  of  Twentietli  Conn.  Vols. 
Aug.  29th,  1862.  Taken  prisoner  at  Chancellorsville,  and  sent  to  Libby 
Prison.  Exchanged  and  returned  to  service.  Promoted  Lieut.  Col.  Mar. 
22d,  1864.  Made  Brevet-Colonel  by  the  President,  by  and  with  the  advice, 
of  the  Senate,  to  date  from  March  13th,  1865,  for  gallant  and  meritorious 
services  during  the  campaign  in  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas.  Mustered  out 
June  13tli,  1865. 

James  E.  Bueldey,  Corporal,  Co.  B,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in 
Aus:.  4th,  1862.  Wounded  .Afar.  19th,  1865.  Mustered  out  June  13th, 
1865. 

Owen  BncUey,  Third  Ind.  Batterv.  ]\Iustered  in  Sept.  19tli,  1864,  De- 
serted Nov.  21st,  1864. 

Geo.  B.  Candee,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  23rd,  1864. 
IMustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Wm.  Carrol];  m  Vol.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15th,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Kicholas  Cass,  Co.  C,  First  C.  V.  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  Dec, 
8th,  1863.     Mustered  out  Sept.  5th,  1865. 

Thomas  Chadwicl;  Co.  F,  Tw(dfth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Nov.  25th, 
1861.     Ke-enlisted  Jan.  1,  1864.     Mustered  out  Aug.  12,  1865. 


94  SEYMOUK  AIs^D  VICIis^ITY. 

Uli  Clement,  Co.  B,  First  C.  V.  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  May  22(1, 
1861.     Discharged  May  21st,  1864  ;  term  expired. 

AhraJiam  Collins,  Co.  A.  Tenth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Oct.  29th, 
1861.    Discharged,  disability,  Feb.  22d,  1863. 

Ricliard  Condon,  Co.  E,  First  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  July  22d,  1861- 
Ee-enlisted  Dec.  21st,  1863.     Wounded.     Mustered  out  July  19th,  1865. 

Richard  Conway,  Co.  B,  First  C.  V.  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  May 
22d,  1861.     Discharged  May  21st,  1864 ;  term  expired. 

Reuben  Cox,  Co.  C,  First  C.  V.  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  Dec.  3rd, 
1863.    Deserted  Aug.  5th,  1865. 

Fredericlc  Cross,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  24th,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Dennis  Crummey,  Co.  I,  Twenty-Seventh  Conn.  Vols.  '  Mustered  in  Sept. 
9th,  1862.  Lost  an  arm  in  front  of  Mary's  Heights,  Dec.  13th,  1862.  Dis- 
charged Feb.  12th,  1863. 

Wm.  E.  Curtiss,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15th,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Charles  H.  Davis,  Co.  C,  First  Heavy  Artillerv.    Mustered  in  Dec.  4th, 

1863.  Mustered  out  Sept.  25th,  1865. 

Harry  W.  Davis,  Eifle  Co.  C,  Third  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Mav  14th, 

1861.  Honorably  discharged  Aug.  12th,  1861. 

Zerah  B.  Davis,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered   in  Aug.  6th, 

1862.  Mustered  out  June  13th,  1865. 

Charles  Domingo,  colored,  Co.  H,  Twenty-ninth  Conn.Vols.  Mustered  in 
Mar.  2nd,  1864.    "Killed  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  Sept.  3rd,  1864. 

PatricTc  Donahue,  Third  Independent  Battery.    Mustered  in  Sept.  15th, 

1864.  Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Lor  en  J.  Farrell,  Co.  E,  First  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  April  8th, 
1862.     Died  Aug.  8th,  1862,  at  Harrison's  Landing,  Va. 

Hugh  FitziMtriclx,  mustered  in  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.,  August 
13th,  1862.  Discharged  for  disability,  Feb.  8th,  1863.  Mustered  in  Co.  B, 
Seventh  Conn.  Vols.,  Dec.  21st,  1863.  Died  at  David's  Island,  N,  Y., 
Aug.  5th,  1864. 

De  Grasse  Fowler,  Second  Lieut.,  Co.  E,  Fifth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered 
in  July  22nd,  1861.     Resigned  Sept.  23rd,  1864. 

Charles  French,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug.  5th, 
1862.     Wounded  July  20tli,  1864.     Mustered  out  June  13th,  1865. 

Harpin  R.  French,  Co.  K,  Tenth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Oct.  14th, 
1861.     Discharged  Oct.  7tli,  1864  ;  term  expired. 

Herman  B.  French,  Corporal,  Co.  F.  First  Heavv  Artillery.  Mustered 
in  May  23rd,  1861.     Discharged,  disability,  Nov,  18th,  1861. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  95 

Hohart  French^  Co.  A,  Tentli  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Sept.  21st,  ISOl. 
Discharged,  disability,  Dec.  21st,  ISGl. 

Jolm  W.  French^  Musician,  Co.  H,  20tli  Conn.  Vols.  jNIustered  in  Aug. 
20th,  1862.     Mustered  out  June  13th,  18G5. 

Rohert  R.  Geisder,  Sergeant,  Co.  C,  Eleventh  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in 
October  25th,  1861.     Discharged,  disability,  June  25th,  1862. 

Hyatt  Gregory,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  21st,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Wm.  Grogan,  Co.  C,  Eleventh  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Nov.  14th, 
1861.     Enlisted  in  U.  S.  Army  Nov.  1st,  1862. 

John  Hanley,  Co.  C,  First  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  Dec.  8th,  1863. 
Mustered  out  Oct.  9th,  1865. 

Wm.  Hmvley,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  24th,  1864.  Mus- 
out  June  23,  1865. 

Bichard  F.  Ilayden,  Co.  B,  First  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  May 
22nd,  1861.     Discharged  May  21st  1864  ;  term  expired. 

James  W.  Heiidryx,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug. 
6th,  1862.     Killed  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  May  3rd,  1863. 

John  ^Y.  Holcomh,  Co.  E,  First  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  July  22nd> 
1861.     Ee-enlisted  Dec.  21st,  1863.     Mustered  out  July  19th,  1865. 

Charles  B.  Holland,  Corporal,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mus- 
tered in  Aug.  5th,  1862.  Transferred  to  Invalid  Corps.  Mustered  out  Aug. 
4th,  1865. 

James  Roleren,  Co.  F,  Fifth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  July  22nd,  1861, 
Re-enlisted  Dec.  21st,  1863.     Mustered  out  July  19th,  1865. 

Geo.  TV.  Homan,  Orderly-Sergeant,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols, 
Mustered  in  Aug.  6rh,  1862.  Taken  prisoner  at  Chancellorsville  and  confined 
in  Richmond  prison.  Exchanged  and  returned  to  service.  Promoted 
Second-Lieut.  June  6th,  1865.     Mustered  out  June  13th,  1865. 

Calvin  A.  Hubbard,  Co.  E,  First  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  July  22nd, 
1861.  Re-enlisted  Dec.  21st,  1863.  Wounded.  Mustered  out  July  19tli, 
1865. 

Thomas  Hurlburt,  Co.  B,  First  Conn.  Cavalry.  Mustered  in  Nov.  19th, 
1861,  re-enlisted  Jan.  1st,  1864.  Imprisoned  at  Andersonville.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  2nd,  1865. 

Charles  Isles,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19th,  1864.  Mus- 
tered out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Andrew  Jackson,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  17th,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

^Ym.  B.  Johnson,  Sergeant,  Co.  B,  Fifteenth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in 
July  22nd  1862.     Mustered  out  June  27th,  1865. 


1)0  SEYMOUR  AND  VICimTY. 

BaJph  Jndd,  Third  Ind.  Battery.     Mustered  in  June  22nd,  1804.     De- 
serted Nov.  17th,  1804. 

Simon  Lathrop,  Co.  A,  Tenth  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Oct.  2nd,  1801. 
Killed  at  Kinston,  N.  C,  Dec.  lltli,  1802. 

William  Lee,  Co.  C,  First  Heavy  Artillery.     Mustered  in  Dec.  3rd,  1803. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  25th,  1865. 

Leuns  E.  Leigh,  Co.  B,  First  Heavv  Artillerv.     Mustered  in  May  22d, 

1801.  Ee-enlisted  Jan.  1,  1804. 

Albert  W.  Ljounshury,  Co.  H,  20th  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Aug.  Oth, 

1802.  Taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  and  sent  to  Libby 
Prison.  Exchanged  and  returned  to  service.  Mustered  out  June  13th, 
1805. 

Henry  W.  Lounshury,  Co.  A,  Tenth  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Oct.  2d, 
1801.     Died  Aug.  14th,  1802,  at  Newbern,  N.  C. 

L>uane  M.  Ijynde,  Co.  D,  First  Conn.  Cavalry.     Mustered  in  Nov.  28th, 

1803.  Mustered  out  June  28th,  1805. 

Charles  B.  Lyons,  Co.  C,  First  Heavy  Artillery.     Mustered  in  Dec.  3rd, 
1803.     Mustered  out  Sept.  25th.  1805. 

David  LuclieU,  colored.  Corporal,  Co.  C,  Tliirtieth  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered 
in  Feb.  22d,  1804.     Mustered  out  Nov.  7th,  1805. 

Albert  McArtlnir,  Co.  C,  First  Heavy  Artillery.     Mustered  in  Dec.  3rd, 
1803.     Mustered  out  Sept.  25th,  1805. 

John  McGormick,  Co.  E,  First  Artillerv.     Mustered  in  Sept.  23rd,  1804. 
Deserted  Aug.  10th,  1805. 

Byron  TV.  Munson,  Co.  G,  First  Conn.  Cavalry.     Mustered  in  Dec.  3rd, 
1803.     Mustered  out  Aug.  2nd,  1805. 

Marcus  E.  Munson,  Co.  R,  First  Conn.  Cavalry.     Mustered  in  Dec.  21st, 
1803.     Died  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  Mar.  11,  1804. 

William  JSlcholas,  colored,  Co.  A,  Thirtieth  Conn.  Vols.   Mustered  in  Feb. 
22nd,  1864.     Mustered  out  Nov.  7th,  1865. 

George  O^Brien,  Co.  IT,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Aug.  20th, 
1862.     Killed  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  3rd,  1803. 

David  O'Clanghessy,  Third  Ind.  Battery.     Mustered  in  Sept.  23rd,  1804. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1805. 

Martin  Perry,  Third  Ind.  liattery.     Mustered  in  Sei)t.  24th,  1804.     Mus- 
tered out  June  23rd,  18(55. 

Edward  D.  Phelps,  Co.  F,  Seventh  Conn.  Vols.     IMustered  in  Sei)t.  Otii, 
1801.     Re-enlisted  Dec.  22d,  1803.     Mustered  out  July  20th,  1805. 

Charles  Prince,   Co.   B,  First  Heavy  Artillery.     Mustered   in  May  22d, 
1801.     Discharged  May  21st,  1804;  term  expired. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  97 

John  Y.  Reynolds,  Co.  B,  First  Heavy  Artillery.  Enlisted  May  22nd, 
1801.     Discharged  May  21st,  18G1: ;  term  expired. 

John  H.  Biggs,  Co.  F,  Seventh  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Sept.  9th, 
1863.     Re-enlisted  Jan.  2nd,  1861.     Mustered  out  July  20th,  1865. 

Henry  C.  Rogers,  Co.  I,  Second  Artillery.  Mustered  in  Aug.  13th,  1862. 
Severely  wounded  in  the  hand  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Fisher,  JMar.  2oth,  1865. 
Mustered  out  July  7th,  1865. 

Henry  Rose,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn,  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug.  8th,  1862. 
Wounded  March  19th,  1865.     Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

John  Ryan,  Co.  H,  20th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug.  20th,  1862. 
Wounded  May  3rd,  1863.     Discharged,  disability,  June  31st,  1865. 

Patrick  Ryan,  Co.  I,  Twenty-third  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Oct.  9th, 
1862.  Honorably  discharged  July  27th,  1863.  Mustered  in  Third  Ind. 
Battery,  Sept.  19th,  1864.     Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Wm.  E.  Ryan,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug.  20th, 
1862.     Deserted  Sept.  11th,  1862. 

David  W.  ^harpe,  Co.  B.  First  Heavy  Artillery.     Enlisted  May  22d, 

1861.  Re-enlisted  Jan.  1st,  1864     Highly  commended  by  his  superior  offi- 
cers and  recommended  for  promotion.     Mustered  out  Sept.  25th,  1865. 

Cornelius  Shchan,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  23rd,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Francis  Sheldon,  Third  Ind.  Battery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  17th,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Sylvester  Short,  Co.  F,  Twenty-Third  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
8th,  1862.  Honorably  discharged  at  expiration  of  term  of  enlistment,  Aug. 
31st,  1863. 

Anwn  Smith,  Co.  E,  First  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  July  22nd,  1861. 

Geo.  A.  Smith,  Co.  E,  First  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  July  22nd,  1861. 
Discharged  July  22nd,  1864 ;  term  expired. 

Wilbur  W.  Smith,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  as  First 
Lieut.  Aug.  15th,  1862.  Taken  prisoner  at  Chancellorsville  and  confined  in 
Libby  prison.  Paroled  and  exchanged.  Promoted  Captain  Jan.  28th,  1863. 
Mustered  out  June  13th,  1865. 

Jacob  L.  Still,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Aug.  20th, 

1862.  Wounded  July  3rd,  1863.     Transferred  to  invalid  corps  Mar.  15th, 
1864. 

Charles  W.  Swift,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug. 
20th,  1862.     Mustered  out  June  13th,  1865. 

Reuben  W.  Thayer,  Co.  E,  Fifth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  July  22nd, 
1861.     Re-enlisted  Dec.  21st,  1863.  Wounded.  Mustered  out  July  19th,  1865. 


98  SEYMOUR  AKD  VIOIXITY. 

Wm.  Thayer,  Co.  A,  Tenth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Oct.  2nd,  ISGl. 
Transferred  to  Signal  Corps,  Sept.  2Gth,  1863. 

Ransom  P.  Tomlinson,  Co.  B,  First  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  May 
22nd,  18G1.  Deserted  July  8tli,  1801.  Enlisted  in  Co.  B,  First  Regiment 
Cavalry,  Nov.  2nd,  18G1.  Taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness, 
confined  at  Libhy  and  Andersonville.  Exchanged  and  promoted  First  Ser- 
geant.   Re-enlisted  Jan.  4th,  1861.     Mustered  out  Aug.  2nd  1865. 

Lucius  B.  Truesdell,  Co.  D,  First  Heavv  Artillery.  Mustered  in  Nov. 
27th,  1863.     Killed  in  action  Sept.  12th,  1864,  near  Petersburg.     Aged  19. 

Byron  Tucker,  Co.  B,  First  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  Sept.  13th, 
1864.    Died  at  Broadway  Landing,  Va.,  Nov.  27th,  1864. 

Fredericlc  Tucker,  Third  lud.  Batterv.  Mustered  in  Sept.  17th,  1864. 
Mustered  out  June  23rd,  1865. 

Wm.   Uminger,  Co.  C,  Eleventh  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Nov.  14th, 

1861.  Wounded  Sept.  17th,  1862.    Discharged,  disability,  April  3rd,  1863. 

Hiram  Upson,  Jr.,  Sergeant,  Co.  F,  Seventh  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  9th,  1861.  Died  June  18th,  1862,  of  wounds  received  at  James 
Island,  S.  C. 

Aaron  Walker,  colored,  Co.  IT,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Dec. 
28th,  1863.     Mustered  out  Oct.  24th,  1865. 

Wm.  8.  Ward,  Musician,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in 
Aug.  15th,  1862.    Mustered  out  June  18th,  1865. 

Atigustiis  White,  Musician,  Co.  B,  First  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in 
May  22nd,  1861.     Re-enlisted  Jan.  1st,  1864. 

James  White,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.     Mustered  in  Aug.   6th, 

1862.  Killed  at  Peach  Pine  Creek,  Ga.,  July  20th,  1864. 

Leslie  B.  Wooster,  Co.  C,  First  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Nov.  21st, 
1861.     Discharged,  disability,  June  23rd,  1862. 

Geo.  S.  Wyant,  Sergeant,  Co.  H,  Twentieth  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in 
Aug.  7th,  1862.     Died  Dec.  15th,  1862. 

Wilson  Wyant,  Captain,  Co.  E,  Fifth  Conn.  Vols.  Enlisted  April  22nd, 
1861 ;  mustered  in  July  22nd.  Resigned  on  account  of  disabilitv,  Jan. 
31st,  1863. 


;^-^?*o'<^- 


It  will  thus  be  seen  that  notwithstanding  differences  of  opinion  which  here, 
as  throughout  the  north  generally,  sometimes  gave  rise  to  dissension  and 
bitterness,  the  town  contributed  lii)erally  of  men  and  means  to  suppress  the 
rebellion  and  sustain  the  Union,  and  our  representatives  in  the  terrible  con- 
test ac(iuitted  themselves  bravely  in  the  defence  of  the  "Red,  White  and 
Blue." 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  99 


Enlistel  Elsewliere,  Ml  Burlel  in  Seynionr,  or  now  EeslJeiils  of  tlie  Town. 


James  K.  Adams,  Co.  R,  loth  Conn.  Vols.  jMustered  in  Aug.  Gtli,  18G2. 
Mustered  out  June  27tli,  1865,  at  Newbern,  S.  C. 

T.  P.  Aylesworth,  Sergeant,  Co.  E,  5th  Vermont  Vols.  Enlisted  Aug. 
27tli,  18G1.  Lost  a  leg  at  Fairfax,  Va.  Honorably  discharged  Feb.  27th, 
1862. 

Geo.  H.  Bartlett,  Co.  B,  128th  New  York  Vols.  Mustered  in  Sept.  4tli, 
1862,  at  Hudson,  N.  Y.     Mustered  out  July  ]2th,  1865,  at  Savannah,  Ga.' 

Udgar  Beecher,  Co.  K,  lOtli  C.  V.  Mustered  in  Oct.  5th,  1861,  from 
Bethany.  Died,  Aug.  3rd,  1864,  from  wounds  received  at  Deep  Bottom, 
Va.     Buried  in  the  Union  Cemetery. 

William  BluTce,  Co.  L,  First  Conn.  Cavalry.  Mustered  in  from  Hartford, 
Dec.  16th,  1863.     Mustered  out  Aug.  2nd,  1865. 

John  II.  Bradley,  Co.  I,  20th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  from  Hamden, 
Aug.  14th,  1862.     Wounded.    Mustered  out  June  13th,  1865. 

Geo.  W.  Burroughs,  Co.  D,  15th  W.  Va.  Vols.  Mustei-ed'  in  Sept.  8th, 
1862.  Wounded  at  Winchester  and  Laurel  Hill.  Mustered  out  May 
12th,  1865. 

Henry  R.  Chamherlain,  Co.  F,  7th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  from  Red- 
ding, Nov.  4tli,  1863.     Mustered  out  July  20th,  1865,  at  Goldsboro,  N.  C. 

Horatio  8.  Chamherlain,  Co.  A,  150th  N.  Y.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
Gth,  1862.     Mustered  out  June  8th,  1865 ;  at  Washington. 

F.  M.  demons,  corporal,  Co.  D.,  23rd  C.  V.  Mustered  in  from  Hunting- 
ton, Aug.  30th,  1862.     Honorably  discharged  Aug.  31st,  1863. 

William  S.  Cooper,  from  Winchester,  Co.  E,  2nd  Conn.  Vol.  Artillery. 
Enrolled  July  31st,  1862.  Promoted  Corporal  Oct.  4th,  1862;  promoted 
Sergeant  Mar.  22nd  1863 ;  promoted  First  Sergeant  Jan.  13tli,  1864 ; 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Winchester,  Va.,  Sept.  19th,  1864  ;  promoted  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  Feb.  4th,  1864,  and  assigned  to  Co.  D.  Discharged  Sept. 
6th,  1865. 


100  SEYMOUR  AXD  VICINITY. 

Clarli  Ford,,  Co.  I,  1st  C.  V.  Heavy  Artillery.  Mustered  in  from  Wood- 
bridge,  Feb.  10th,  18G1.     Mustered  out  Sept.  25th,  1865. 

F.  C.  Gerard,  coi-poral,  Co.  H,  23rd  C.  Y.    Mustered  in  from  Naugatuck, , 
Sept.  2nd,  1862.    Honorably  discharged  Aug.  31st,  1863. 

William  Halligan,  Co.  E,  52nd  Mass.,  Vol. 

Robert  Sealey,  Corporal,  Co.  E,  22nd  Ind.  Vols.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
15th,  1861.  Wounded  at  Perryville,  Ken.,  Oct.  8th,  1862.  Ee-enlisted 
December,  1864.     Discharged  Aug.  1st,  1865. 

Joseph  Hitchcock,  corporal,  Co.  D,  22nd  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  from 
Bloomfield,  Aug.  23rd,  1862.     Honorably  discharged  July  7th,  1863. 

Joseph  Ineson,  Co.  B,  20th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  from  Dfirbr,  Aug. 
2nd,  1862.  Wounded  July  20th,  1864.  Discharged,  disability,  Feb.  20th, 
1865. 

Martin  0.  Judson,  Co.  D,  20th  C.  V.  Killed  at  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burgh,  July  3rd,  1863.     Buried  in  Union  Cemetery. 

Charles  D.  Kelsey,  Co.  E,  5th  Vermont  Vols.  Mustered  in  Aug  14th, 
1861.     Honorably  discharged  Sept.  16th,  1864. 

G.  F.  Kelsey,  Co.C,  115th  111. Vols.,  died  in  '77.  Buried  in  Union  Cemetery. 

James  R.  Matliews,  Co.  I,  27th  C.  V.  Mustered  in  Sept.  1st,  1862,  from 
New  Haven.     Honorably  discharged  July  27th,  1863. 

William  Morris,  Co.  F,  12th  Conn.  Vols.  Mustered  in  fi-om  Danbury, 
Nov.  23rd,  1861.     Re-enlisted  Jan.  1st,  1864.   Mustered  out  Aug.  12th,  1865. 

Richard  Pearson,  Co.  K,  6th  U.  S.  Cavalry.  Mustered  in  Sept.  1st, 
1861.  Transferred  from  3rd  Md.  in  October,  1862.  Mustered  out  Sept. 
3rd,  1864. 

Benjamin  B.  Thayer,  Co.  E,  2nd  C.  V.  Heavy  Artillery.  JMustered  in 
from  Canton,  Aug.  6th,  1862.  Mustered  out  July  7th,  1865,  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C. 

John  Wooster,  Mass.  Battalion,  Cal.  Cavalry.     Buried  in  Union  Cemetery. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  101 


lote^,  186S  to  1870. 


-roc- 
There  was  an  extraordinarily  heavy  rain  June  4th  and  5th,  1862,  followed 
by  a  high  flood.  June  was  remarkable  as  a  very  rainy  month  and  the 
July  following  as  a  very  dry  one. 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  held  Oct.  6th,  1862,  Henry  Bradley,  John 
Davis  and  Stephen  D.  Russell  were  re-elected  selectmen;  David  Betts,  Jr., 
treasurer;  Owen  Shannon,  school  visitor. 

An  old  resident  of  the  vicinity  of  Bladen's  Brook  says  that  the  gi'eatest 
freshet  ever  known  on  that  stream  occurred  Feb.  7th,  1863. 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  in  October,  Hai-vey  Hotchkiss,  Stephen  R. 
Rider  and  Nathan  Holbrook,  were  elected  selectmen ;  B.  W.  Smith,  town 
clerk;  David  Betts,  Jr.,  ti'easurer;  and  John  Chatfield,  school  visitor. 

A  teachers'  institute  was  held  in  the  CongTegational  Church  Jan.  7th, 
8th  and  9th,  1864,  at  which  thirty-two  teachers  were  present  from  Ansonia,  Bir- 
mingham, Seymour,  Oxford,  Naugatuck  and  Waterbury.  Hon.  N.  D. 
Camp  of  New  Britain,  lectured  on  Common  Schools  in  the  evening. 

The  Day  Brothers'  Rubbermill  was  burned  on  the  night  of  March  18th, 
but  was  immediately  rebuilt. 

The  name  of  the  "Stone  Schoolhouse"  district  was  changed  to  "  Cedar 
Ridge." 

At  the  electors'  meeting  held  April  4th,  1864,  H.  B.  Munson  was 
elected  representative,  and  the  following  named  persons  were  elected  justices 
of  the  peace :  H.  B.  Munson,  B.  W.  Smith,  J.  J.  Wilcoxen,  C.  W.  James^ 
Wm.  B.  Stoddard,  E.  R.  Bassett,  Israel  French,  eTohn  Chatfield,  Adonijah 
French,  Leonard  Wyant. 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  held  Oct.  3rd,  Stephen  R.  Rider,  Charles 
A.  Wooster  and  Nathan  Holbrook  were  elected  selectmen ;  B.  W.  Smith, 
town  clerk ;  C.  W.  James,  treasurer ;  and  Frederick  Durand,  school  visitor. 
A  resolution  was  adopted  instructing  the  selectmen  and  school  visitors  to 
inquire  into  the  expediency  of  establishing  a  graded  school,  to  ascertain  if 
a  suitable  building  could  be  rented  for  the  purpose,  the  probable  expense  of 
such  school,  and  to  report  at  an  adjourned  meeting  to  be  held  the  follo^ving 
Saturday.  The  report  was  duly  made  and  accepted,  and  it  was  voted  that 
a  school  of  a  higher  grade  be  established.  Burton  W.  Smith,  Harvey  Hotch- 
kiss and  Gr.  W.  Divine  were  appointed  a  committee  to  establish  and  superin- 
tend the  school,  and  to  fix  a  rate  of  tuition  sufficient  to  defray  the  expense. 
Glendinning  Hall  was  leased  for  a  schoolroom,  and  Miss  Hermance  was  en- 
gaged as  teacher. 

At  the  electors'  meeting  held  Nov.  8th  there  were  222  votes  cast  for  the 
democratic  presidential  electors,  and  124  for  the  republican. 


102  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  [1865-8 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  held  Oct.  2nd,  1865,  Henry  Bradley,  Philo 
Holbrook  and  Stephen  D.  Russell  were  elected  selectmen;  B.  W.  Smith, 
town  clerk ;  C.  W.  James,  treasurer ;  and  O.  Evans  Shannon,  school  visitor. 

At  the  spring  election,  H.  B.  Munson  was  elected  representative  to  the 
General  Assembly. 

The  house  of  Capt.  James  Baker  on  Great  Hill,  was  burned  on  the  night 
of  Nov.  16th. 

H.  B.  Munson  was  elected  representative  April  2nd,  1866,  The  justices 
elected  were  J.  J.  Wilcoxen,  H.  B.  Munson,  Israel  French,  Leonard  Wyant, 
Norman  Sperry,  B.  W.  Smith,  C.  W.  James,  E.  R.  Bassett,  John  Chatfield, 
Elbert  A.  Peck. 

At  a  special  meeting  held  April  3rd,  action  was  taken  relative  to  building 
a  town-house  with  suitable  provision  for  a  high  school-hoom,  and  at  a  subse- 
quent meeting  it  was  voted  to  build,  not  to  exceed  40x70  feet ;  but  at  a  meet- 
ing held  May  18th,  to  act  on  a  report  of  the  committee  as  to  plan  and  specifi- 
cations, the  whole  matter  was  indefinitely  postponed. 

The  Fengot  Coal  Co.  was  organized  in  1866,  for  the  preparation  of  com- 
pressed fuel  from  peat.  A  large  swamp  near  the  Woodbridge  line  was  pur- 
chased, building  erected,  machinery  obtained,  and  some  of  the  fuel  prepared 
for  use.  The  venture  proved  unprofitable  and  the  business  was  closed  up  at 
great  loss  to  the  stockholders,  one  of  whom  stated  that  his  patent  fuel  had 
cost  him  one  thousand  dollars  per  ton. 

The  Rimmon  Water  Company  was  organized  July  2nd,  1866,  and  soon 
after  commenced  building  a  dam  at  the  place  where  an  abutment  had  been 
built  in  1850.  The  work  was  vigorously  pushed  forward  under  the  direction 
of  Raymond  French,  and  finally  completed  and  the  gates  closed  Oct.  27th, 
1867,  at  a  cost  of  $65,000.  The  plate  or  overflow  is  about  300  feet  long  and 
the  fall  nineteen  feet. 

The  selectmen  elected  Oct.  1st,  were  Wm.  A.  Fairchild,  Samuel  P.  Davis 
and  Charles  A.  Wooster ;  town  clerk,  Edward  F.  Bassett ;  treasurer,  Na- 
than R.  Wooster ;  school  visitors,  Joshua  Kendall  and  C.  W.  James  ;  high 
school  committee,  G.  W.  Divine,  Sylvester  Smith  and  S.  Y.  Beach. 

On  the  15th  of  March,  1867,  the  Naugatuck  rose  rapidly  until  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river  it  was  fourteen  feet  and  five  inches  above  low  water  mark. 

At  the  April  election  H.  B.  Munson  was  again  elected  representative  to 
the  General  Assembly. 

In  October  Wm.  F.  Betts  was  elected  town  clerk  ;  Henry  G.  Hurd, 
Stephen  R.  Rider  and  Adonijah  French,  selectmen ;  Henry  Davis,  town 
treasui'er  and  school  visitor. 

A  series  of  revival  meetings  were  commenced  in  the  M.  E.  Church, 
liev.  Joseph  Pullman,  pastor,  December,  1867,  and  continued  through  Janu- 
ary and  February,  1868,  resulting  in  quite  a  number  of  conversions.  A 
series  of  similar  meetings  were  commenced  in  the  Congregational  Church 
Feb.  9th,  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Allan  Clark, 

On  the  10th  of  February,  1868,  the  Naugatuck  rose  to  thirteen  feet  and 
three  inches  above  low  water  mark  at  Derby. 

At  the  electors'  meeting  held  April  6tli,  Carlos  French  was  again  elected 
to  representative,  and  H.  B.  Munson,  Adam  Newheim,  E.  R.  Bassett,  James 
Howard,  Israel  French,  Lewis  Judd,  Matthias  Bunyan,  C.  W.  James, 
Leman  Whitlock  and  Philo  Holbrook  were  elected  justices  of  the  peace. 

On  the  4tli  of  October,  1868,  the  Naugatuck  rose  to  the  highest  point 
reached  in  fifteen  years,  while  Little  river  and  Bladen's  brook  were  foaming 


1808-9]  SEYMOUR  AXD  VlCimTY.  103 

torrents.  Two  britlges  on  Bladen's  Brook  were  carried  away  and  the  new 
stone  bridge  by  Ames'  factory  was  much  damaged.  About  thirty  feet  of  the 
wall  of  the  raceway  below  Kalmia  Mills,  was  also  carried  away,  stopping  all 
the  factories  on  the  main  stream. 

At  the  annual  meeting  held  Oct.  5th,  1868,  Stephen  H.  Culver,  Samuel  P. 
Davis  and  Geo.  W.  Divine  were  elected  selectmen ;  S.  H.  Canfield,  town 
clerk ;  Henry  Davis,  treasurer ;  Joshua  Kendall,  school  visitor ;  Joshua 
Kendall  and  Henry  B.  Beecher,  assessors ;  Joshua  Kendall  and  Henry 
Bradley,  registrars  of  electors  ;  Joseph  J.  Wilcoxen,  S.  H.  Canfield,  G. 
W.  Divine,  Ashbel  Storrs,  Henry  P.  Davis,  Israel  French,  grand  jurors ; 
Sylvester  Smith  and  Sharon  Y.  Beach,  board  of  relief.  The  total  vote  was 
359  5  average  republican  majority,  30. 

At  an  adjourned  town  meeting  held  Oct.  12th,  the  following  resolutions 
were  adopted  : 

Eesolved,  That  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to  cause  their  annual  report 
to  be  printed,  and  have  at  least  five  hundred  copies,  to  be  left  at  the  town 
clerk's  office  on  or  before  the  28th  of  September  in  each  year,  for  distribution 
among  the  voters  of  the  town.  Such  report  shall  contain  the  amount  of  each 
bill  and  to  whom  paid,  the  amount  paid  for  the  support  of  the  poor  out  of 
the  Alms  House,  and  for  whom  the  expense  was  incurred,  the  amount 
paid  to  each  town  officer  for  services,  and  any  other  infonnation  wliich 
they  may  deem  necessary  to  show  the  expenses  and  indebtedness  of  the  town  ; 
to  which  shall  be  added  the  report  of  the  town  treasurer. 

Resolved,  That  the  school  districts  of  this  town  be  consolidated  into  one 
school  district,  to  be  known  as  the  Seymour  School  District,  and  that  chapter 
87  of  the  laws  passed  May  session,  18G7,  are  hereby  referred  to  and  made 
part  of  this  regulation. 

At  an  adjourned  town  meeting  held  Oct.  15th,  the  following  named  per- 
sons were  elected  a  committee  of  the  Seymour  School  District :  Eli  Gillette, 
C.  W.  StoiTS,  J.  W.  Bassett,  Joshua  Kendall,  C.  AV.  James,  Harpin  Riggs, 
Joel  R.  Chatfield,  Peter  Worth,  Henry  Davis.  At  the  first  meeting  of 
the  school  board  J.  Kendall  was  chosen  chairman  j  Henry  Davis,  Secretary 
and  treasurer ;  and  J.  Kendall  and  Henry  Davis,  school  visitors. 

The  funeral  of  Carl  Zurcher,  junior  agent  of  the  Kalmia  Mills,  Dec. 
10th,  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  his  friends.  He  had  resided  in 
Seymour  four  and  a  half  years,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  those  who  knew 
him  best. 

The  rebuilding  of  Smith's  papermill,  which  was  burned  Jan.  11th,  1809, 
was  completed  in  March.  The  Kalmia  Mills  Co.  contracted  for  three  dwel- 
ling houses  of  four  tenements  each  to  be  erected  on  Third  street.  Business 
was  thriving  and  the  place  grew  rapidly,  the  grand  list  of  the  town  exceed- 
ing $1,000,000.  Messrs.  Heudryx  &  Peck  purchased  the  old  car  shop  north 
of  the  depot   and  remodelled  it  into  a  store  and  several  tenements. 

At  the  April  election  Philo  Holbrook  was  elected  representative  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  1869. 

The  second  meeting  of  the  Seymour  School  District  for  the  election  of 
members  of  the  board,  was  held  in  the  High  School  room  Sept.  25th,  and 
Elliott  R.  Bassett,  Samuel  A.  Beach  and  Henry  Davis  were  elected  for 
three  years. 

In  October  the  town  clerk  and  selectmen  were  re-elected:  S.  H.  Can- 
field  was  elected  treasurer ;  Joshua  Kendall  and  Henry  Bradley,  registrars 
of  voters  ;  Joshua  Kendall  and  W.  AV.  Smith,  assessors  ;  xVshbel  Storrs,  G. 
\\'.  Divine,  X.  R.  Wooster,  Eli  Gillette,  J.  W.  Smith  and  Norman  Sperry, 


104 


SEYMOUR  a:n^d  vici:n^ity. 


grand  jurors ;  and  John  W.   Bassett,   registrar  of  births,    marriages  and 
deaths. 

Kalmia  Mills  were  closed  the  following  winter,  and  in  its  failure  seemed 
to  betoken  decreased  prosperity  for  the  ensuing  decade ;  yet  the  place  has 
continued  to  grow,  and  in  1877  the  population  was  at  least  five  hundred  more 
than  in  1870.  The  debt  of  the  town,  which  in  1869,  was  over  twenty-three 
thousand  dollars,  has  virtually  been  paid,  only  two  bonds,  not  yet  due,  being 
outstanding,  and  these  more  than  balanced  by  the  assets  of  the  town.  The 
various  industries  of  the  town  are  now  improving  and  there  seems  to  be- no 
reason  why  the  season  of  depression  through  which  we  have  just  passed 
should  not  be  followed  by  prosperity  and  renewed  gi-owth. 


TOWN  CLERKS,  TREASUEEES  AND  EEPEESENTATIVES. 


TOWN 

CLERKS. 

TREASURERS. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

1850- 

-Charles  B. 

Wooster. 

Sylvester  Smith. 

*Sylvester  Smith. 

1851 

u 

u 

Burton  W.  Smith. 

Bennett  Wooster. 

1852 

a 

a 

a                  u 

Sylvester  Smith. 

1853 

a 

a 

li                  a 

Harris  B.  Munsou. 

1854 

a 

u 

a                  u 

a                  a 

1855 

u 

u 

a                  a 

Luzon  B.  Morris. 

1856 

u 

Li. 

Hiram  W.  Randall. 

u                    u 

1857 

u 

U 

Burton  W.  Smith. 

Henry  C.  Johnson. 

1858 

a 

a 

u                      u 

Charles  B.  Wooster. 

1859 

it 

a 

Henry  S.  Johnson. 

Samuel  L.  Bronson. 

1800 

a 

(( 

u                  u 

Carlos  French. 

1861 

(I 

u 

David  Betts,  Jr. 

Clark  Wooster. 

1862 

a 

u 

U               ii          u 

Abel  Holbrook. 

1863- 

-Burton  W. 

Smith. 

a           a       a 

Harris  B.  Muuson. 

1864 

a 

a 

Cornelius  W.  James. 

u                    u 

1865 

u 

u 

u                      u 

u                   u 

1866- 

-Edward  F. 

Bassett. 

Nathan  R.  Wooster. 

a                   li 

1867- 

-William  F. 

Betts. 

Henry  Davis. 

a                    u 

1868- 

-Samuel  H. 

Canfield. 

U                     ii 

Carlos  French. 

1869 

a 

u 

Samuel  H.  Canfield. 

Philo  Holbrook. 

1870 

a 

a 

u                      u 

Virgil  H.  McEwen. 

1871 

u 

a 

u                    u 

Smith  Botsford. 

1872 

u 

u 

u                     u 

James  Swan. 

1873 

u 

u 

u                      u 

Horatio  N.  Egglestou. 

1874 

u 

u 

a                      a 

Edmund  Day. 

1875 

u 

a 

u                     a 

Lewis  A.  Camp. 

1876 

a 

u 

u                      u 

Henry  P.  Day. 

1877 

u 

1.1. 

a                      a 

Samuel  A.  Beach. 

3878 

a 

a 

u                       a 

Albert  B.  Dunham. 

*  For 

Town  of  Derby 

Joshua  Kendall  represented  the  town  of  Derby  in  1849. 

SEYMOUR  A:N^D  VICINITY.  105 

SELECTMEN  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  SEYMOUR. 

1850-51,  Leraan  Cliatfiekl,  Daniel  L.  Holbrook,  Thomas  Cochran. 

1852,  Isaac  B.  Davis,  Sharon  Y.  Beach,  Harpin  Riggs. 

1853,  Leman  Chattiekl,  Harpin  Riggs,  Jabez  E.  Pritchard. 

1854,  Harpin  Riggs,  Jabez  E.  Pritchard,  Henry  Bradley, 

1855,  Jabez  E.  Pritchard,  Henry  Bradley,  Philo  Holbrook. 

1856,  Sheldon  Church,  Miles  Culver,  Daniel  L.  Holbrook. 
1857-8,  Henry  Bradley.  Edwin  Smith,  Abel  Holbrook. 
1859-60,  Henry  Bradley,  Edwin  Smith,  Stephen  D.  Russell. 
1861-2,  Henry  Bradley,  John  Davis,  Stephen  D.  Russell. 

1863,  Harvey  Hotchkiss,  Stephen  R.  Rider,  Nathan  Holbrook. 

1864,  Stephen  R.  Rider,  Charles  A.  Wooster,  Nathan  Holbrook. 

1865,  Henry  Bradley,  Philo  Holbrook,  Stephen  D.  Russell. 

1866,  Wm.  A.  Fairchild,  Samuel  P.  Davis,  Charles  A.  Wooster. 

1867,  Henry  G.  Hurd,  Stephen  R.  Rider,  Adonijah  French. 
1868-9,  Stephen  H.  Culver,  Samuel  P.  Davis,  George  W.  Divine. 

1870,  Sharon  Y.  Beach,  Nathan  R.  Wooster,  Samuel  P.  Davis. 

1871,  Edwin  Smith,  Frank  C.  Gerard,  Edwin  Buckingham. 

1872,  Edwin  Smith,  Frank  C.  Gerard,  Roswell  N.  Kinney. 

1873,  Lewis  A.  Camp,  Frank  C.  Gerard,  Roswell  N.  Kinney. 

1874,  Lewis  A.  Camp,  Cornelius  W.  James,  Samuel  P.  Davis. 

1875,  Lewis  A.  Camp,  Cornelius  W.  James,  Frederick  M.  demons. 

1876,  Lewis  A.  Camp,  Frank  E.  Steele,  Frederick  M.  demons. 

1877,  Lewis  A.  Camp,  Frank  E.  Steele,  Edward  L.  Hoadley. 

1878,  Horace  A.  Radford,  Frank  E.  Steele,  Edward  L.  Hoadley. 


JUSTICES  or  THE  PEACE. 

For  lists  previous  to  1870  see  foregoiug  pages. 

1870,  H.  B.  Munson,  J.  J.  Wilcoxen,  B.  W.  Smith,  Israel  French,  Na- 
than Holbrook,  Matthias  Bunyan,  Samuel  Roselle,  David  Betts,  Jr.,  Adam 
Newheim,  S.  Y.  Beach. 

1872,  H.  B.  Munson,  Geo.  A.  Rogers,  Wm.  S.  Cooper,  Henry  P.  Davis, 
Edwin  Tomlinson,  Geo.  W.  Divine,  Wilson  Wyant,  Henry  B.  Beecher,  C. 
W.  James,  Sheldon  Tucker. 

1874,  G.  W.  Divine,  James  Swan,  L.  A.  Camp,  Ebenezer  Fairchild, 
W.  N.  Storrs,  S.  Y.  Beach,  S.  P.  Davis,  W.  S.  Cooper,  F.  M.  demons,  C. 
W.  James. 

1876,  F.  M.  Clemens,  Wm.  R.  Tomlinson,  G.  W.  Divine,  W.  S. 
Cooper,  H.  S.  Chamberlin,  J.  W.  Rogers,  Samuel  Butler,  S.  Y.  Beach, 
Ashbel  Storrs,  Theodore  S.  Ladd. 

1878,  Edwin  Buckingham,  Gustave  Becker,  John  W.  Rogers,  Frederick 
M.  Clemens,  William  R.  Tomlinson,  James  Buckley,  Horatio  S.  Cham- 
berlin, Ashbel  Storrs,  John  Smith,  William  S.  Cooper. 


106 


SEYMOUK  AKU  VICINITY. 


^^'  Kri  ^::4r  SP   p 


#1|^NTIL  185G  the  schools  were  managed  by  districts  and  school  societies. 
'^£f  The  districts  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  constituted  the  First  School 
4Jjt  Society,  and  those  on  the  west  side  the  Second  School  Society.  The 
gw  meetings  of  the  latter  were  held  in  the  meeting  house  on  Great  Hill 
^"^  from  1824  to  1851,  when  the  whole  of  the  districts  of  Seymour  were 
united  in  one  Society.  The  Naugatuck  river  was  made  the  division  line 
between  the  two  societies  by  an  act  of  the  Assembly  in  1832.  (Pr.  Acts,  Vol. 
2,  p.  1086.)     In  1811  the  boundaries  were  dehned  as  follows  : 

We  the  School  Committee  of  the  Second  School  Society  in  the  Town  of  Derby  have  laid  and 
established  the  fourth  Day  of  June,  A.  D.,  18412,  the  following  described  bounds  and  limits  to  the 
2d  School  Society  in  Derby,  viz.,  commencing  at  the  Town  bounds  between  Derby  and  Oxford,  on 

the  west  side  of  the  highway  a  few  rods of  the  House  now  occupied  by  Oliver  Nettletou,  thence 

proceeding  in  a  direct  line  south-westerly  to  the  former  site  of  the  old  District  School  House  at 
the  center  of  which  site  we  have  laid  bounds ;  theuce  proceeding  in  a  direct  line  a  little  south  of  west 
to  bounds  laid  by  us  near  an  old  cellar  about  three  rods  south  of  a  large  pine  tree,  said  bounds  on  the 
highway  near  the  fence,  thence  proceeding  in  a  direct  line  a  little  south  of. east  to  a  large  rock  a  little 
oB'  the  road  near  the  house  of  Jube  Weston,  by  a  spring,  on  which  rock  we  have  laid  bounds  ;  thence 

proceeding  in  a  direct  line  south  easterly  to  bounds  laid  by  us  on  the  highway  about  two  rods of 

small  house  now  occupied  by  the  widow  of  Ephraim  Allen  and  James  Harding;  thence  proceeding 
in  the  same  direction  until  the  line  strikes  Naugatuck  river;  from  thence  said  district  is  bounded  on 
the  east  and  separated  from  the  first  society  by  Naugatuck  river  until  it  meets  the  line  between 
Derby  and  Oxford,  when  it  strikes  the  west  side  of  the  said  river ;  from  thence  said  district  is  bound- 
ed on  the  north  by  said  town  line,  running  west  until  it  strikes  the  liounds  on  the  highway  first  com- 
menced at.  Said  boundaries  of  the  above  named  district,  so  far  as  they  have  not  been  legally  settled 
and  defined  before,  are  hereby  settled  aiul  defined  by  us. 

ANSON  DAVIS,  ;     Society 

JAMES  C.  TOMLINSON,  S  Committek. 

At  each  annual  meeting  of  the  Second  Society  were  elected  a  moderator, 
clerk,  treasurer,  a  society's  committee  of  three,  a  visiting  committee  of  nine, 
and  until  1840  the  district  <'omn)ittees  were  elected  at  the  Society's  meetings. 

The  Shrub  Oak  district  ai)pears  to  have  Ixien  hrst  included  in  the  Second 
Society  in  1881. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  voters  of  the  (Jreat  Hill  School  Society  held 
Sept.  .jOth,  1851,  it  was  voted  that  the  fund  of  the  Great  Hill  School  Society 
be  divided  equally  between  the  four  districts,  and  that  the  first  meeting  of  the 


SEYMOITK  AOT)  VICINITY.  107 

School  Society  of  Seymour  be  held  in  the  Congreo-iitioiial  Church  in  Ilum- 
phreysville.  At  the  said  first  lueetiiig  Daniel  L.  Holbrook  was  elected  chair- 
nian  ;  B.  W.  Smith,  clerk;  G.  F.  DeForest,  treasurer;  Sylvester  Smith,  S. 
Y.  Beach  and  ITarpin  Kiggs,  society's  committee;  .John  B.  vSteel,  collector; 
and  Joshua  Kendall,  visiting  and  examining  committee.  The  numbers  of  the 
districts  were  continued  the  same  except  that  the  Falls  district,  now  the  Center 
district,  which  had  been  known  as  the  eighth,  was  made  the  sixth. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Seymour  School  District  held  Feb  1st,  1869, 
it  was  voted  to  purchase  a  lot  in  the  Pines  and  to  build  thereon  a  school-house 
of  sufficient  capacity  to  accomodate  KiO  scholars.  A  tax  was  to  be  laid  suffi- 
cient to  raise  the  sum  of  i(),000  to  defray  the  ex])enses.  The  lot  was  pur- 
chased at  a  cost  of  $700  and  is  still  held  by  the  town,  but  on  account  of  ob- 
jections to  the  location  the  school -house  has  not  been  built. 


SCHOOL  VISITORS  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  SEYMOUR. 

ELECTED  IN  SCHOOL  SOCIETY  MEETINGS. 
1850  to  1855,  Joshua  Kendall. 
1855-G,  Sylvester  Smith. 

ELECTED  IN  TOWN  MEETING,  FOR  THREE  YEARS  EACH. 

The  stars  indicate  those  elected  each  year. 

185G-7,  George  F.  DeForest,*  Philo  B.  Buckingham,*  Luzon  B.  Morris,* 
1857-8,  Joshua  Kendall,*  Sharon  Y.  Beach.* 

1858-9,  Joshua  Kendall,  Sharon  Y.  Beach,  Philo  B.  Buckingham,* 
1859-GO,  Joshua  Kendall,  Sharon  Y,  Beach,*  Philo  B.  Buckingham. 
18G0-1,  Joshua  Kendall,*  Sharon  Y.  Beach,  Philo  B.  Buckingham. 
18G1-2,  Joshua  Kendall,  Sharon  Y.  Beach,  Charles  B.  \Yooster.* 
18G2-3,  Joshua  Kendall,  Charles  B.  Wooster,  Rev.  Owen  E.  Shannon.* 
18G3-4,  liev.  Owen  E.  Shannon,  Frederick  Durand,  John  Chatfield.* 

F.  Durand  elected  by  the  other  visitors  to  till  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  C.  B.  Wooster. 

1364-5,  Key.  Owen  E.  Shannon,  Frederick  Durand,*  John  Chattield. 
1865-6,  Rev.  O.  Evans  Shannon,*  Frederick  Durand,  John  Chatfiehl. 
18CG-7,  Rev.  O.  Evans  Shannon,  Frederick  Durand,  Cornelius  W.  James.* 

F.  Durand  resigned  May  21,  1867,  and  J.  Kendall  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

18G7-8,  Joshua  Kendall,  Cornelius  W.  James,  Henry  Davis.* 

ELECTED  BY  THE  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION. 
18G8-9,  Joshua  Kendall,  Cornelius  W.  James,  Henry  Davis. 
1869-70,  Joshua  Kendall,  Cornelius  ^V.  James,  Henry  Davis. 
1870-1,  Joshiui  Kendall. 

1871-2,  Joshua  Kendall,  Edmund  Day,  Harpin  liiggs. 
1872-3,  Joshua  Kendall,  Samuel  P.  Davis. 
1873-4,  Joshua  Kendall,  Xorman  Sperry. 
1874-5,  Joshua  Kendall,  Virgil  H.  ]\IcEwen,  Norman  Sperry. 
1875-6,  Joshua  Kendall,  Virgil  H.  McEwen,  William  (.'.  Sharpe. 
1876-7,  Joshua  Kendall,  Virgil  H.  McEwen,  Williant  C.  Sharpe. 
1877-8,  Joshua  Kendall,  William  C.  Sharpe. 
1878-0,  Joshua  Kendall,  William  C.  Sharpe. 


108  SEYMOUR  AND  VICimTY. 

MEMBERS  OE  THE  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION. 

ELECTED  IN  UNION  SCHOOL  MEETING. 

18G8,  elected  for  one  year — Cornelius  James,  Henry  Davis,  Eli  Gillette. 
For  two  years — Harpin  Riggs,  John  W.  Bassett,  John  R.  Chatfiekl. 
For  three  years — Joshua  Kendall,  Peter  Worth,  C.  W.  Storrs. 
18G9,  Elliott  R.  Bassett,  Samuel  A.  Beach,  Henry  Davis. 

Carlos  French  was  elected  by  the  board  June  6tli,  1870,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  re- 
moval of  Henry  Davis. 

1870,  Harpin  Riggs,  Wilbur  W.  Smith,  John  W.  Bassett. 

1871,  Joshua  Kendall,  Edmund  Day,  Thomas  James. 

ELECTED   IN   TOWN   MEETING. 

1872,  Carlos  French,  A.  Y.  Beach,  Samuel  P.  Davis. 

A.  Y.  Beach  resigned  Nov.  12th  and  S.  H.  Canfield  was  appointed  by  the  Board  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

1873,  Sharon  Y.  Beach,  Norman  Sperry,  H.  N.  Eggleston. 

1874,  V.  H.  McEwen,  Joshua  Kendall,  Edmund  Day. 

1875,  S.  H.  Caniield,  Carlos  French,  William  C.  Sharpe. 

1876,  Sharon  Y.  Beach,  Frederick  M.  Clemons,  Nathan  Holbrook. 

1877,  Edmund  Day,  Joshua  Kendall,  Norman  Sperry. 

V.  H.  McEwen  elected  to  till  vacancy  caused  by  resignation  of  Norman  Sperry,  until  the  nest 

town  election. 

1878,  S.  H.  Canfield,  W.  C.  Sharpe,  David  Tucker,  James  Howard. 

James  Howard  to  fill  vacancy  for  two  years. 


GREAT  HILL  SCHOOL,  Ko.  1. 

This  is  probably  the  oldest  school  in  the  town.  An  abstract  of  a  volume 
of  the  earlier  records  is  given  on  pages  19  and  20. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Second  Society  held  Nov.  7th,  1831,  Wm.  Smith, 
Samuel  Wire  and  Samuel  Meigs  were  appointed  a  committee  to  designate  a 
location  for  a  new  school-house  in  the  First  or  Great  Hill  District,  and 
decided  upon  the  north-east  angle  of  the  roads  below  the  present  location  of 
the  church. 

The  district  line  was  changed  by  vote  of  the  school  society  Oct.  12,  1843, 
as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  so  much  of  the  1st  school  district,  2d  society  in  Derby,  be  and  hereby  is,  set 
off  to  the  .5th  school  district  in  Oxfoi'd,  as  lies  north  and  west  of  a  line  beginning  at  the  Oxford  line, 
by  the  dwelling-house  of  Andrew  S.  Graham,  running  southeasterly  to  the  corner  of  road  leading 
to  Rock-house  Hill ;  thence  by  said  road  to  the  corner  of  land  of  Abel  and  Benjamin  English,  near 
the  house  of  Christopher  Smith  ;  thence  northwesterly  to  Oxford  line,  including  the  house  of  Abel 
and  Benjamin  English. 

The  lines  were  laid  out  anew  Nov.  1st,  1843,  as  follows : 

Whereas,  The  record  defining  the  lines  of  the  Great  Hill  School  District  in  the  second  school 
society  in  Derby  being  lost,  and  the  undersigned  committee  being  empowered  by  an  act  of  the  legis- 
lature of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  passed  1841,  to  lay  out  new  and  establish  old  lines,  do  make 
and  establish  the  following  lines,  which  shall  constitute  the  school  district  of  Great  Hill,  viz:  Begin- 
ning eighty  rods  from  the  mouth  of  Toby  Brook  on  2d  brook;  thence  in  a  straight  line  to  the  porth- 
east  corner  of  Monroe  Scranton's  farm ;  thence  in  a  straight  line  to  Josiah  Bassett's  saw  mill;  thence 
in  a  straight  line  to  the  west  side  of  the  highway,  running  by  the  dwelling-house  formerly  belonging 
to  Truman  Hawkins,  now  Anson  Davis ;  thence  on  the  west  side  of  said  highway  until  opposite  a 
pine  tree  standing  near  the  Rowe  place,  so-called  ;  thence  in  a  straight  line  to  the  town  bounds  lying 
in  the  highway  some  thirty  or  forty  rods  south  of  Stephen  Baldwin's  dwelling-house;  tlience  on  the 
town  line  until  it  comes  in  a  parallel  line  with  the  road  south  of  Abel  and  Benjamin  English;  thence 
following  the  lines  of  that  part  of  said  English  farm  lying  north  of  said  road  to  the  town  line ;  thence 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  109 

on  town  line  to  a  stone  bridge  near  the  dwelling-house  of  widow  Amnion  Tomlinson;  tbence  on  the 
town  line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Bennet  Lum's  farm,  adjoining  Simeon  Iliuman's  land ;  thence 
in  a  straight  line  to  the  place  of  beginning.  The  above  lines  shall  constitute  and  define  the  school 
district  of  the  Great  Hill. 

LUTHER  FOWLER,) 
EPHRALM  SMITH,     >  Society  Committee. 
Done  in  Derby.  Nov.  1st,  1813.  WM.  D.  LUM,  ) 


In  1852,  by  joint  action  of  the  School  Society  and  the  1st  and  4th  dis- 
tricts, the  Squantuck  district  was  ccnsolidated  with  the  Great  Hill  district, 
and  the  lines  were  defined  as  follows : 

Whereas,  The  legal  voters  of  the  school  society  in  the  town  of  Seymour,  at  a  meeting  warned 
and  held  on  the  3rd  day  of  July,  1852,  voted  to  annex  the  Squantuck  School  District  to  the  First 
School  District  in  said  school  society;  Therefore,  We,  the  undersigned  Society's  Committee,  hereby 
establish  the  following  described  lines  and  boundaries  annexed,  viz :  Beginning  at  the  Ousatonic 
river,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Old  Field  brook  at  the  boundary  of  the  school  society  line  between  Derby 
and  Seymour,  running  easterly  on  said  line  to  the  late  dwelling-house  of  Philo  Lum,  deceased, 
leaving  said  dwelling-house  in  the  North  District  in  Derby  School  Society;  thence  running  easterly 
on  school  society  line  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  a  rock  at  the  west  corner  of  Asa  Bassett's  land,  about 
thirty  rods  southerly  of  the  house  occupied  by  Miles  Brouson  ;  thence  running  northerly  by  the  Bunga 
School  District  to  Josiah  Bassett's  saw  mill ;  thence  northerly  in  a  straight  line  to  the  west  side  of 
the  highway  at  the  east  side  of  the  Beard  land,  so  called,  southerly  of  the  dwelling-house  of  Marcus 
Davis;  thence  on  the  west  side  of  said  highway  till  opposite  a  pine  tree  standing  near  the  Rowe 
place,  so  called ;  thence  north-westerly  to  the  old  town  bounds  in  the  highway,  about  thirty  rods 
south  of  the  house  of  Stephen  Baldwin ;  thence  west  on  society  line  between  Oxford  and  Seymour 
to  the  west  side  of  highway  in  front  of  the  dwelling-house  of  Andrew  S.  Graham;  thence  south- 
westerly to  the  corner  of  the  road  leading  to  Rock-house  Hill;  thence  by  said  road  to  the  corner  of 
land  of  Abel  and  Benjamin  English,  near  the  house  of  Christopher  Smith;  thence  north-westerly  to 
the  school  society  line  between  Oxford  and  Seymour ;  thence  on  said  line  to  stone  bridge  on  Rock- 
house  Hill  road,  north  of  the  Ammon  Tomlinson  place,  so  called;  thence  on  society  line  to  the 
north-west  corner  of  Bennet  Lum's  farm,  adjoining  Simeon  Hinman's  land;  thence  straight  line  to 
the  south  end  of  Otter  Rocks  on  the  Ousatonic  river;  thenceby  the  east  side  of  the  Ousatonic  river 
to  the  first-mentioned  bounds ;  and  the  above-described  lines  and  boundaries  hereby  constitute  the 
boundaries  of  the  First  School  District  in  Seymour. 

SYLVESTER  SMITH,  ?  o^^.j^r's  Committee 
Dated  at  Seymour,  Feb.  22d,  185.5.  HIRAM  UPSON,  \  ^*^ciety  »  Committee. 

The  above  is  a  true  record.     Attest : 

B.  W.  SMITH,  Clerk. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  Oct.  1st,  1877,  it  was  voted  that  a  new  school- 
house  be  built  at  an  expense  of  $700  and  that  the  location  be  changed  to  the 
angle  of  the  roads  on  the  Hill  near  the  house  of  Wm.  R.  Tomlinson.  The 
building  was  completed  about  the  first  of  January,  1878. 

TEACHERS. 


1826,  Henry  Scott. 

1827,  Eliza  Eussell,  Heuiy  Burtou. 

1828,  Maria  Wattles,  Simon  Ciirtiss,  Jr. 

1829,  Jane  Tomlinson,  Simon  Cuitisb,  Jr. 

1830,  Catherine  Umberfield,  S.  Ciirtiss,  Jr. 

1831,  Jane  Fowler,  Simon  Curtiss,  Jr. 


18;32,  Betsey  Tomlinson,  John  Riggs,  Jr. 

1833,  Jane  Fowler,  Simon  Curtisa,  Jr. 

1834,  Lilly  Wakeley,  John  Lindley. 

1835,  Jane  Fowler,  Silas  Hurd. 

1836,  Sarah  A.  Benham,  Simon  Curtiss,  Jr. 

1837,  Mary  A.  Smith,  David  Hawes.. 


110 

1838,  Sarah  Lindley. 

1839,  Miss  Davis,  John  Liudley. 

1840,  Sarah  E.  Gilbert,  Jiulson  Candee. 

1841,  Sarah  M.  Osborn,  John  Lindley. 

1842,  Eliza.  A.  Mansfield,  Merwia  Bowen. 

1843,  Ann  Eliza  Shelton,  Abel  Hr.lbrook. 

1844,  C.  A.  Fowler,  A.  T.  Hotchki.ss. 

1845,  Elizabeth  Durand,  Merwin  Bowen. 

1846,  Maria  Chatfield,  William  Bristol. 

1847,  Jano  M.  Wooster,  Albert  E.  Smith. 

1848,  Jane  M.  Wooster. 

1849,  Frances  E.  Wooster,  Gid.  H.  Candee. 

1850,  Eliza  Lum,  Betsey  Cable. 

1851,  Rossetta  Bassett,  Henry  Harger. 
18.52,  Mary  Bradley,  Charles  Gillette. 

1853,  Augusta  Sanford. 

1854,  Juliette  Wooster,  John  Allen. 

1855,  Augusta  Sanford,  Clark  E.  Lum. 

1856,  Julia  A.  Fairchild,  John  Smith. 

1857,  Julia  A.  Fairchild,  Marcus  E.  Hyde. 


SEYMOUR  AND  YICIXITY. 


18.58,  Nancy  Sutton,  R.  S.  Hinman. 

1859,  Mary  F.  Meacham,  Clark  E.  Lum. 

1860,  Elvira  W.  Somers,  Eben  G.  Wheeler. 

1861,  Elvira  W.  Somers,  Jane  E.  Tyrrell. 

1862,  Jane  E.  Tyrell. 

1863,  Frances E.  Wheeler,  H.  A.Tomlinson 

1864,  Martha  E.  Davis,  John  Killon. 

1865,  Martha  E.  Davis,  C.  C.  Burwell. 

1866,  C.  C.  Burwell,  Martha  E.  Davie. 
1867-8,  Martha  E.  Davis. 

1869,  Sophia  Davis. 

1870,  Virginia  Davis. 

1871,  Emily  A.  Smith,  Emmarette  Sperry. 

1872,  C.  E.  Lum,  E.  Sperry,  C.  E.  Lum. 

1873,  C.  E.  Lum,  2  t ;   Matilda  Smith. 

1874,  Rufiis  Spencer,  Lottie  E.  Booth. 

1875,  Rufus  Spencer,  Clara  S.  Rider. 

1876,  Clara  S.  Rider,  Hattie  Riggs. 

1877,  Josie  E.  Ladd. 

1878,  Rufus  Spencer,  Phoebe  Tomliason. 


SHRUB   OAK  SCHOOL,   No.  2. 

The  records  of  the  Shrub  Oak  District  not  having  been  handed  over  to 
the  town  clerk,  are  not  now  available,  and  but  little  account  can  be  given  of 
it.  The  district  seem  to  have  been  set  off  Dec.  27th,  1779.  See  page  47. 
The  names  of  the  teachers,  so  far  as  ascertained,  are : 

Winter  terms  of  1846-7,  1847-8,  1848-9,  Frederick  Durand. 

Oct.,  1861,  to  April,  1863,  Rhoda  Kendall. 

Smnmer  of  1866,  Sarah  Swift. 

Fall  of  1866  to  Dec,  1876,  C.  C.  Burwell, 

Jan.,  1877,  to  July,  1878,  Harriet  Riggs. 

Sept.,  1878,  Josie  E.  Ladd. 


BUNGAY  SCHOOL,   No.  3. 

Records  not  tiled  in  town  clerk's  office. 

TEACHERS. 
May,  1867  to  Oct,,  1868,  Emma  S.  Tomlinsou. 
Oct.,  1868,  to  July,  1869,  Sarah  M.  Riggs. 
Sept.,  1869,  to  April,  1870,  Alice  Northrop. 
April,  1870,  to  July,  1872,  Sarah  M.  Riggs. 
Sept.,  1872,  to  July,  1873,  L.  Davis. 
Sept.,  1873,  to  July,  1874,  Ellen  C.  Hard. 
Sept.,  1874,  to  July,  1875,  Hattie  J.  Riggs. 
Sept.,  1875,  to  1878,  Hattie  Bassett. 


SEYMOUR  AXD  VlCimTY. 


Ill 


CEDAR   RIDGE    SCHOOL,   Ko.  4. 

The  fifth  district  was  divided  in  1837,  the  new  district,  called  the  seventh, 
bein^'  bounded  southerly  by  a  line  from  the  mouth  of  Bladen's  brook,  easterly 
to  the  Woodbridge  line,  passing  south  of  the  house  of  Samuel  R.  Hickox. 
The  first  meeting  of  the  new  district  was  held  Aug.  30th,  and  arrangements 
commenced  for  building  a  school-house.  The  location  was  selected  by  Joel 
White,  Isaac  White  and  Joel  R.  Chatfield,  and  at  a  meeting  held  Sept.  20th 
it  was  voted  to  accept  the  proposals  of  Solomon  Terrell  to  build  a  stone  school- 
house,  18  X  25  feet,  7i  feet  clear,  with  six  windows  of  24.  lights  and  one  of  9 
lights,  to  be  plastered  inside  and  out,  with  a  hall  of  five  feet  in  width  at  one 
end,  and  two  doors  from  the  hall ;  the  whole  to  be  completed  for  $175. 
Terrell  was  afterward  allowed  $8  for  extra  work,  and  some  slab  benches  and 
sloping  boards  for  writing-desks,  with  a  stove  and  desk  and  chair  for  teacher, 
completed  this  "temple  of  science"  in  time  for  the  winter  school.  It  was 
found  necessary  to  remove  the  partition  in  ISIS  to  enlarge  the  school-room. 
The  teacher  was  then  paid  $2.25  per  week  and  required  to  "board  around." 
Board  being  then  estimated  at  $1.75,  the  teacher's  services  Avere  valued  at 
$4  per  week,  teaching  five  and  one-half  days.  The  next  year  the  price  was 
raised  one  dollar  per  week.  In  1852  it  became  evident  that  a  larger  school- 
house  was  needed,  and  in  July  it  was  voted  to  build  26  x  40  feet,  but  at  a 
subsequent  meeting  the  matter  was  indefinitely  postponed. 

January  31st,  1868,  it  was  voted  to  build  a  new  school-house,  and  Smith 
Botsford,  Ashbel  Storrs  and  Joel  R.  Chatfield  were  appointed  building  com- 
mittee. The  size  finally  determined  upon  was  27J  x  34  feet,  to  cost  $1,700, 
including  furniture  of  the  best  patterns.  The  school-house  was  well  built,  by- 
Ashbel  Storrs,  and  is  a  credit  to  the  district.  Up  to  1863  the  building  had 
been  known  as  the  "Stone  School-house."  The  name,  "Cedar  Ridge,"  was 
then  given  to  the  school  and  has  since  been  retained. 

Charles  Oatman  was  clerk  of  the  district  from  1837  to  1849,  and  vSylves- 
ter  Smith  from  1849  until  the  schools  of  the  town  were  consolidated  in  1868. 

The  old  stone  building,  small,  inconvenient  and  antiquated,  is  yet  the 
subject  of  many  pleasant  reminiscences  by  teachers  and  scholars,  now  scattered 
among  the  scenes  of  busy  life,  to  whom  the  following  list  of  teachers  will 
recall  pleasant  memories  of  by -gone  da}'s. 

TEACHERS. 


1841,  A.  T.  Hotchkiss,  winter  term. 

1842,  Frances  N.  Thomas,  two  terms. 

1843,  Laura  Tonilinson,  George  Bassett. 

1844,  Laura  Tonilinson,  H.  B.  Munson. 

1845,  Miss  Faircbikl,  H.  B.  Munson. 

1846,  Charlotte  M.  Smith,  Jane  E.  Terrell. 

1847,  Annie  Holcomb,  Wm.  E.  Holbrook. 

1848,  Henry  Warren. 

1849,  Rosetta  Bassett,  Mrs.  P.  E.  Clark. 

1850,  Rosetta  Bassett,  Mary  A.  Wooster. 

1851,  Miss  Fairchild,  Frederick  Duraud. 

1852,  M.  A.  Wooster,  Frederick  Durand. 

1853,  Miss  Hull,  Frederick  Durand. 

1854,  M.  A.  Wooster,  Thomas  Munson. 


1855,  Eliza  Clark,  Thomas  Munson. 

1856,  Charles  T.  Hotchkiss,  Miss  Upson. 

1857,  Eliza  J.  Tuttle,  two  terms. 

1858,  Jane  Doolittle,  Clark  Lum. 

1859,  Marietta  Benham,  David  Hawley. 

1860,  Laura  M.  French,  Joel  F.  Selleck. 

1861,  Kate  McKay,  Clark  E.  Lum. 

1862,  Lucy  A.  Atwood,  two  terms. 

1863,  Julia  Leavenworth,  W.  C.  Sharpe. 

1864,  Mrs.  M.  A.  Gleason,  Miss  Swift. 
1H65,  .losepbiue  A.  Walker. 

1866,  Minerva  Bassett,  Miss  Bradley. 

1867,  Mary  Chatfield,  three  terms. 

1868,  Mary  Chatfield. 


112 


1869,  Mary  Chatfield,  Josephine  Walker. 

1870,  J.  Walker,  2  t;  L.  C.  Chatfield, 

1871,  L.  Cornelia  Chatfield. 

1872,  L.  Cornelia  Chatfield. 

1873,  L.  Cornelia  Chatfield, 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

1874,  L.  Cornelia  Chatfield,  C.  F.  Abbott 
Libbie  0.  Lockwood. 

1875,  Libbie  O.  Lockwood. 

1876,  Clara  F.  Abbott,  E.  O.  Lockwood. 
1877-8,  Libbie  0.  Lockwood. 


DISTRICT   COMMITTEES. 

1837,  Isaac  White. 

1851,  Ashbel  Storrs. 

1838,  Jared  Bassett. 

1852,  Samuel  Hickox. 

18.39,  Sylvester  Smith. 

1853,  Henry  W.  Benedict. 

1840,  Oliver  Stoddard. 

1854,  Smith  Terrell. 

1841,  Samuel  Bassett. 

1855,  Wm.  B.Watson. 

1842,  Hiram  Upson. 

1856,  David  Johnson. 

1843,  Joel  R.  Chatfield, 

1857,  Wm.  F.  Gilyard. 

1844,  Smith  Botsford. 

1858,  Wilson  Wyant. 

1845,  Israel  French. 

1859,  Wm.  W.  Dibble. 

1846,  Julius  Bassett, 

1860,  Lorenzo  M.  Bassett, 

1847,  Wm,  B.  Watson. 

1861-2,  Smith  Terrell. 

1848,  David  Johnson. 

1863-6,  Ashbel  Storrs. 

1849,  Stephen  H.  Culver. 

1867,  Joel  R.  Chatfield,  (app.  by  Sch 

Vis.) 

1850,  George  Merrick. 

1868,  David  Johnson. 

THE   BELL   SCHOOL,   No.  5. 

In  1769  Joseph  Johnson  deeded  a  piece  of  land  on  the  east  side  of  Pearl 
street,  a  little  south  of  the  house  of  Smith  Terrell,  for  a  location  for  a  school 
house,  as  follows : 

Know  all  men  by  these  Presents,  that  I,  Joseph  Johnson  of  Derby  in  the 
County  0/  Neiv  Haven,  Collony  of  Connecticut,  New  England,  do  firmly  set,  remit  ^  releas 
unto  the  proprietors  of  the  third  Destrict  for  Schooling  in  Derby,  one  certain  piece  of  land  pitch 
upon  by  the  proprietors  of  the  third  Destrict,  to  set  up  a  School  House  upon  for  the  benefit  of 
Said  Destrict,  containing  twenty  feet  square,  for  the  term  of  Ninety  Nine  years  Next  Coming 
the  Date  hereof,  to  have  ^-  to  hold  it  for  the  xise  said  schoolhouse. 

Furthermore  I  the  said  Johnson  do  promisfor  myself,  my  heirs,  Executors'^  Adminis- 
trators, to  defend  the  Same  from  all  Claims  and  demands  whatsoever.  In  ivitnehs  whereof 
I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  this  5th  Day  of  may  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one 
thousand  Seven  hundred  Sixty  Nine. 

Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  presents  of 

Benjamin  Crawford.  JOSEPH  JOHNSON. 

Uezekiah  Johnson. 

This  school-house  seems  to  have  been  occupied  about  forty  years.  In 
that  time  the  number  of  the  district  was  changed  to  six,  and  in  1799  it  was 
known  as  the  Chusetown  District. 

At  a  school  meeting  held  in  the  school-house  September,  27th,  1799, 
Lieut.  E.  Beecher  Johnson  was  chosen  moderator  and  Bradford  Steele,  Jr., 
clerk.  At  this  meeting  Calvin  Lines  was  engaged  to  teach  the  school  six . 
months  at  $11  per  month,  or,  if  he  should  continue  a  year,  he  was  to  teach  at 
$10.50  per  month.  At  an  adjourned  meeting,  held  October  7th  at  the  house 
of  Joseph  Johnson,  Leroy  Tomlinson  and  Bezaleel  Peck  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee "to  pitch  a  stake  for  a  school-house." 

On  the  21st  of  I^ovember,  1803,  it  was  voted  that  Daniel  Holbrook  and 
Amadeus  Dibble  be  a  committee  to  repair  the  school-house  and  build  an 


SEYMOUK  AND  VICINITY.  113 

addition  li  feet  long  with  two  chimneys,  the  whole  to  be  completed  by  Oct. 
4,  1801,  and  painted  Spanish  brown.  Chauncey  Johnson  was  elected  district 
committee. 

On  the  8th  day  of  February,  1801,  the  following  persons  were  recorded  as 
residents  of  the  district :  "  Levi  Tomlinson,  Esq.,  Joel  Chatfield,  Jesse  Johnson, 
Ebenezer  B.  Johnson,  Amadeus  Dibel,  Daniel  Holbrook,  Jn^,  Enoch  French, 
Gibson  Smith,  Isaac  Johnson,  Amos  Dorman,  Bezaleel  Peck,  Isaac  Chais, 
Ebenezer  Peck,  Charles  French,  John  Wheler,  Samuel  Smith,  Jarvis  Downs, 
Elephas  Bradley,  John  White.  Isaac  Bostick,  Joseph  Johnson,  Benjamin 
Beach,  Simeon  Beach,  Hezekiah  Johnson,  Erazmass  Sperry,  Ashbell  Steel, 
John  Crawford,  Lydia  Keney,  Phebe  Dayton,  Hanah  Stodard,  Nathan  Stiles, 
Silas  Baldwin,  Elezer  Patchen,  James  Leach,  Charles  Deal,  Mary  Bartis, 
Sebrie  Molthroop,  Bradford  Steele,  John  Shenson,  Hezekiah  Tomson,  Josiah 
Swift,  Lydia  Cowel,  Oliver  Clark,  Richard  Freeman,  Isrel  French,  Reuben 
Davis.  Sergt.  Chauncey  Johnson,  Clerk." 

At  a  meeting  held  Oct.  17th,  1805,  the  valuation  of  "good  wood  brought 
to  the  school-house"  was  estimated  at  "$2  a  chord,  the  Master  to  be  the  judge 
of  the  size  of  the  loads."  Special  committees  were  appointed  to  repair  the 
school-house  nearly  every  year  from  1802  until  1812. 

In  1810  John  Ward  was  hired  for  the  winter  at  $20  per  month,  he  to 
be  his  own  collector,  and  John  T.  Wheeler  was  appointed  clerk.  At  an 
adjourned  meeting,  held  Nov.  22nd,  the  last  vote  to  repair  was  rescinded,  and 
it  was  voted  to  have  the  school  kept  in  Silas  Baldwin's  room  until  the  first 
of  May,  1811. 

In  October,  1811,  Chester  Jones  was  chosen  clerk  and  another  repair 
committee  appointed.  On  the  9th  of  December  it  was  "  Voted  that  there 
should  be  2  schools  kept  in  s*^  District." 

"Voted,  2"<^,  that  Col.  Ira  Smith  &  Capt.  Josiah  Swift  be  a  Committee 
for  the  south  part  of  the  District,  &  Amadeus  Dibble  &  E.  B.  Johnson  be  a 
Committee  for  the  north  part,  to  employ  teachers." 

April  6th,  1812,  it  was  "Voted  that  there  should  be  two  schools  kept  in 
the  District,  one  Man  school  &  one  Woman  school,  &  the  Free  Money  be 
equally  divided  according  to  the  time  the  school  is  kept."  Stiles  Johnson 
was  elected  a  committee  "  to  employ  a  school  Dame." 

On  the  loth  of  the  same  month  Levi  Tomlinson,  Esq"^,  Ira  Smith,  Josiah 
Swift,  Elias  Gilbert  aud  Bradford  Steele  were  appointed  a  committee  to  look 
for  a  place  to  build  a  school-house  and  to  draw  a  plan.  Several  meetings 
were  called  and  adjourned  without  transacting  any  business,  except  employing 
a  male  teacher  in  the  south  part  of  the  district  in  the  winter  of  1812-13,  and 
a  teacher  for  three  months  in  the  winter  of  1813-14. 

On  the  7th  of  March,  1814,  at  a  school  meeting  held  at  the  store  of 
Jones  &  Keeney,  it  was  "  Voted  that  all  needlework  should  be  prohibited 
from  school."  At  a  meeting  held  the  25th  of  the  same  month  the  above  vote 
was  rescinded  and  declared  "null  &  void."  The  name  Humphreysville  first 
appears  on  the  record  in  1814.  The  next  winter  it  was  voted  to  employ  a 
female  teacher  and  to  divide  the  money  equally  between  the  two  schools  of 
the  district. 

The  school-house  first  built  on  the  location  of  the  present  Bell  school- 
house  was  long  owned  as  joint  stock  property,  as  shown  in  the  following  deed 
ifiven  June  1st,  1816: 


lU  SEYMOUK  AND  VICINITY. 

Know  Ye,  That  I,  J^^ewel  Johnson  of  Derby,  in  Netv  Raven  County  and  State  of  Connecti- 
cut, for  the  the  consideration  of  Ten  Dollars  received  to  my  full  satisfaction  of  John  Wheeler, 
Newel  Johnson,  Elias  Gilbert,  Bradford  Steele,  John  Humphreys,  Jr.,  Genl.  David  Humphreys, 
Chester  Jones,  Seba  Moulthrop,  Stiles  Johnson,  Jesse  Johnson,  Edmund  Steele,  John  Rirjys, 
Silas  Baldwin,  Samuel  B.  Hine,  Joseph  Johnson,  Josiah  Swift  ^-  Danl.  TItompson,  Do  give, 
grant,  bargain,  sell  and  confirm  unto  the  said  Grantee,  one  certain  piece  or  tract  of  land 
situated  in  said  Derby  at  Humphreysville,  containing  about  six  acres  of  land,  bounded  Southerly 
on  highway,  Easterly  and  Northerly  on  sd  Newel  Johnson,  Westerly  on  Seba  Moulthrop.  The 
said  piece  of  land  has  a  School-House  erected  thereon  and  divided  into  one  hundred  shares,  and 
is  owned  by  tJte  above  named  Grantees  in  the  following  proportion, viz :  to  the  said  John  Wheeler 
twenty  nine  shares ;  Newel  Johnson,  thirteen ;  Elias  Gilbert,  thirteen  shares;  Bradford  Steele, 
seven;  John  Humphreys,  Junr,  five;  Gen.  David  Humphreys,  five;  Chester  Jones,  seven; 
Seba  Moulthrop,  four;  Stiles  Johnson,  three ;  Jesse  Johnson,  two;  Ed/nund  Steele,  two ;  John 
Biggs,  two;  Silas  Baldwin,  two;  Samuel  B.  Hine,  two;  Joseph  Johnson,  one;  Josiah  Swift, 
one;  Daniel  Thompson,  one. 

In  October,  1815,  Chester  Jones  was  elected  committee  and  Newel 
Jolms«)n  clerk. 

"At  a  Lej^al  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  5th  School  District  at  the 
School  House  in  Humphreysville,  held  Oct.  30th,  1816,  Newel  Johnson  was 
appointed  a  special  committee  to  obtain  from  Mr.  Samuel  Eiggs  his  terms  for 
teaching  a  winter  school,"  apparently  without  success,  as  a  few  days  later 
Bradford  Steele  and  Johnathan  Beement  were  added  to  the  committee. 

On  the  10th  of  December  it  was  voted  to  employ  Isaac  Eowe  as  teacher 
at  $18  per  month.  April  13th,  1819,.  it  was  voted  to  employ  Anna  C.  Martin 
as  teacher  for  the  summer,  "provided  she  can  be  had  on  reasonable  terms  not 
to  exceed  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  week." 

Ebenezer  Fisher  was  appointed  collector  Nov.  20th,  1820,  and  it  was 
voted  that  board  be  $1.25  per  week.  Smith  &  Sanford  then  kept  the  store 
on  the  southeast  corner  of  Pearl  and  Hill  streets.  On  the  4th  of  December, 
1820,  it  was  "Voted  that  there  be  a  stove  purchased  for  the  benefit  of  the 
destrict  and  made  up  in  the  school  bill,"  Until  that  time  the  school-room  had 
been  warmed  by  a  fire  in  the  large  old-fashioned  tire-place. 

On  the  12th  of  April,  1822,  it  was  "  Voted  that  Mr.  Isaac  Sperry  be 
employed  to  teach  this  school  for  one  year  if  he  can  be  obtained  for  ten  dollars 
per  month,"  and  "that  the  district  hire  the  school-house  of  the  proprietors  at 
the  rate  of  seven  dollars  a  quarter." 

From  Nov.  9th,  1818,  to  Oct.  10th,  1825,  Lyman  Smith  was  clerk  of  the 
district,  and  during  this  time  the  book  was  kept  with  a  neatness  and  precision 
seldom  found  in  the  old  records. 

At  a  meeting  held  Dec.  11th,  1822,  David  Beach  was  appointed  district 
committee  and  Newel  Johnson  and  Daniel  V^hite  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  confer  with  the  proprietors  of  the  school-house  for  the  purpose  of  seeing 
what  the  shares  of  the  school-house  can  be  purchased  for.  Provision  was 
made  for  wood  for  the  stove  and  fireplace. 

In  the  ftill  of  1823  the  price  of  board  was  fixed  at  eight  (Yankee)  shillings 
($1,331)  per  week,  and  it  was  voted  to  hire  Mr.  Sperry,  provided  that  not 
more  than  $15  per  month  should  be  paid.  If  any  scholars  came  from  out  of 
the  district,  they  were  to  pay  two  dollars  per  quarter.  Ebenezer  Fisher, 
committee. 

On  the  29th  of  March,  1824,  it  was  voted  to  hire  Isaac  J.  Sperry  for  a 
year  at  $15  per  month,  and  that  he  have  an  assistant  for  six  months  at  $5 
per  mouth.     The  school-house  was  hired  as  before. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  llo 

It  was  voted,  Aug.  IGtIi,  to  release  Mr.  Sperrv,  to  hire  Aaron  Pierson 
in  bis  place,  and  to  continue  Miss  Tuttle  as  assistant  teacher. 

Oct.  12th,  1824,  Eussel  Clark  was  elected  committee ;  David  Beach,  Jr., 
collector ;  and  Sheldon  Tucker,  treasurer.  It  was  voted  not  to  hire  a  teacher 
unless  he  will  board  with  the  district.  The  committee  was  instructed  to  hire 
Mr.  Parsons  (or  Pierson)  or  Harlow  P.  Sage,  wages  not  to  exceed  $15  per 
month.     Dec.  Otb  it  was  voted  to  employ  an  assistant  teacher. 

April  12tb,  1825,  voted  to  hire  Harlow  P.  Sage  at  $19  per  month,  he  to 
board  himself,  provided  that  should  any  choose  to  board  him  at  $1  per  week, 
they  might  do  so.     An  assistant  to  be  hired  if  necessary. 

Up  to  this  time  the  business  seems  to  have  been  wholly  directed  in  dis- 
trict meetings,  and  the  names  most  frequently  occurring  on  the  record  are 
"Chusetown  Destrict"  and  5th  School  District  of  the  school  society,  but  at  a 
meeting  held  Oct.  10th,  1825,  Thomas  Gilyard  was  "recommended  to  the 
School  Society  to  be  appointed  committee,"  and  Isaac  Losee  was  elected  asst. 
committee.  Mr.  Persons  was  to  be  hired.  Wm.  Humphreys,  John  De  Forest 
and  Ebenezer  Fisher  were  "recommended  to  the  School  Society  as  visitors." 

In  the  spring  of  1826  the  committee  w^ere  authorized  to  employ  Mr. 
Persons  (Aaron  C?)  at  $16  per  month,  and  it  was  voted  that  each  proprietor 
draw  his  rent  from  the  treasurer. 

Sept.  29th,  1826.  Eecommendations  to  school  scoiety  :  Sheldon  Tucker, 
committee ;  John  H.  De  Forest,  Wm.  Humphrey,  Ebenezer  Fisher  and  John 
Wheeler,  school  visitors.  Voted  to  give  Mr.  Persons  the  preference  for 
teacher. 

Sept.  27th,  1827.  Ebenezer  Fisher,  district  committee ;  Edmund  Steele, 
school  society's  committee;  Xewel  Johnson,  clerk ;  J.  H.  De  Forest,  J.  T. 
Wheeler  and  Wm.  Humphreys  recommended  to  school  society  as  visitors. 
Voted  to  try  to  hire  the  lower  story  of  the  school-house  for  $18  per  year. 

April  8th,  1829,  voted  to  give  Mr.  Hubbell  the  preference  as  teacher. 

At  a  meeting  held  March  29th,  1830,  it  was  voted  to  purchase  from  fifty 
to  one  hundred  shares  of  the  Bell  school-house  of  the  proprietors  at  one  dollar 
per  share.  It  was  voted  (April  15th)  to  rescind  the  previous  motion  and  to 
.purchase  a  lot  and  build  a  school-house.  The  latter  vote  was  rescinded  May 
15th,  and  the  former  motion  re-enacted.  A  tax  of  $200  was  voted  for  the 
purchasing  and  repairing  the  school-house.  Geo.  Kirtland  acted  as  moderator 
Oct.  17th,  1831.  Apr.  16,  '32,  the  Committee  had  permission  to  employ  a 
teacher  for  each  of  the  two  rooms  if  they  thought  best. 

Oct.  18th,  1836.  Chester  Jones,  treasurer ;  Denzel  Hitchcock,  clerk ; 
Isaac  Losee,  asst.  com. ;  Chas.  Oatman,  collector.  Mr.  Xorthrop  was 
engaged  to  teach  the  winter  school. 

Mar.  7th,  1837.  Thomas  Ellis,  moderator.  Voted  to  divide  the  district 
and  to  run  the  line  from  the  mouth  of  Bladen's  Brook,  and  go  south  so  far  as 
to  take  in  the  house  of  Isaac  White,  and  then  a  straight  line  to  Woodbridge. 

At  a  meeting  held  April  15th,  1837,  it  was  voted  "to  run  the  line 
beginning  at  the  bank  south  of  the  mouth  of  Bladen's  Brook,  so  Ciilled,  and 
ran  straight  to  Woodbridge  line,  running  far  enough  south  to  take  in  the 
house  of  Samuel  R.  Heacox,"  and  "to  apply  to  the  school  society's  committee 
for  division." 

The  following  description  of  the  District  limits,  fi'om  the  minutes  of  the 
First  School  Society,  was  certified  to  by  Alnion  Smith,  Society's  Clerk. 

"Fourth  Distii't  begiua  at  tbe  Dam  across  Naugatuck  River,  rnuuiug  up  the  east 
side  of  said  river  until  you  come  to  the  brook  emptying  iuto  said   river,   through  the 


116 


SEYMOUE  AND  VICIXITY. 


land  formerly  belonging  to  Henry  Wooster;  then  an  easterly  coarse  to  Woodbridge 
line  so  as  to  take  Isaac  Blake  and  David  Hotchkiss'  dwelling-houses  into  the  Fourth 
School  District." 

"Fifth  District  begins  at  the  Henry  Wooster  Brook,  so  called,  by  Naugatuck 
River,  running  up  northerly  the  east  side  of  said  river  to  Oxford  line;  then  easterly 
by  said  Oxford  line  to  Woodbridge  line;  then  southerly  by  said  Woodbridge  line  until 
it  strikes  the  northerly  line  of  the  Fourth  District;  then  westerly  by  said  Fourth 
District  to  the  place  of  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Henry  Wooster  Brook  at  the 
Naugatuck  River." 

"Voted,  that  the  society  divide  the  said  Fifth  District,  and  that  the  bounds 
commence  on  the  Naugatuck  River  at  a  high  bluff  or  bank  about  twenty  rods  south 
of  the  mouth  of  Bladen's  Brook;  from  thence  to  run  easterly  to  Woodbridge  line, 
passing  by  the  south  side  of  the  house  of  Samuel  R.  Hickcok;  and  the  north  part  of 
the  said  Fifth  School  District  shall  constitute  the  Seventh  District." 

At  a  school  meeting  held  Sept.  22d,  1840,  it  was  voted  "that  a  building 
committee  be  appointed  and  that  they  be  instructed  to  make  a  contract  for 
repairing  the  school-house  by  cutting  it  down  to  one  story  high,  putting  on 
new  shingles  and  new  pine  clapboards,  laying  a  new  floor,  painting  the  outside 
with  two  coats  of  good  paint  and  making  such  other  repairs  as  they  shall  deem 
necessary  for  a  thorough  repair  in  every  respect."  Bennet  Wooster,  George 
W.  De  Forest  and  Walter  B.  Clark  were  appointed  committee  on  repairs. 

At  a  meeting  held  Oct.  1st,  1841,  it  was  voted  to  buy  Harrison  Tomlin- 
son's  lot  on  the  Promised  Land,  on  west  side  of  the  highway,  and  build  a  good 
school-house  thereon,  and  a  15c.  tax  was  laid  Dec.  10th.  Feb.  7th,  1842,  the 
tax  was  raised  5  cents.  On  the  loth  of  February  it  was  voted  not  to  sell  or 
dispose  of  the  old  school-house. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  1842,  it  was  voted  "that  the  committee  hire  a 
room  on  the  Falls  known  as  the  Conference  Room  for  a  school  this  winter," 
but  the  vote  was  rescinded  the  11th.  On  the  10th  of  May,  1843,  it  was  voted 
not  to  rent  the  upper  story  for  a  workshop,  and  the  A'ote  laying  a  tax  of  20c. 
for  building  purposes  were  rescinded  June  22ud ;  also,  the  vote  fixing  location 
of  new  school-house.  The  old  school-house  was  cut  down  and  repaired  in  the 
summer  of  1843.  In  August  the  committee  were  directed  to  sell  the  old  bell 
and  pay  the  proceeds  to  the  treasurer.  In  the  summer  of  1844  board  was 
estimated  at  eight  shillings  ($1,331)  per  week,  and  the  following  winter  at 
$1.75  per  week. 

The  school-house  was  appraised  Jan.  13th,  1847,  by  Isaac  J.  Gilbert, 
Ephraim  Birdsey  and  Win.  M.  Hull,  at  $360,  and  at  a  school  meeting,  held 
Nov.  21st,  it  was  voted  that  the  5th  district  pay  to  the  8th  district  $112.50 
as  their  share  of  the  district.  The  ofler  not  being  accepted  by  the  district  the 
matter  was  left  to  the  society's  committee,  who  named  $175  as  the  amount 
to  be  paid.  The  new  district  was  the  ope  since  known  as  District  No.  8,  and 
now  as  the  Center  sub-district,  No.  6. 

A  meeting  was  held  June  10th,  1852,  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  with 
the  other  districts  in  forming  a  union  high  school,  without  any  successful 
action  resulting. 

DISTRICT    COMMITTEES. 


1838,  Waller  B.  Clark. 

1839,  Walter  B.  Clark,  Isaac  Kiuiiey  and 

Chester  Jones. 

1840,  Amos  Smith,  Bennet    Wooster  and 

Sharon  Y.  Beach, 


1841,  Jeremiah  Duiand,  Sharon  Y.  Beach. 
1(542,  Thomas  Cochran,  Daniel  White  and 
John  W.  Bassett. 

1843,  B.  Wooster.  (G.  F .  Deforest,  clerk. 

1844,  Ezekiel  Gilbert. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICmiTY 

1845,  Daniel  White.    ( W.  B.  Clark, clerk.) 

1846,  A.  J.  Steele.     (H.Tomliusou, clerk.) 

1847,  David  B.  Clark.  (S.Y.  Beach, clerk.) 

1848,  Smith  Clark.    (H.B.Mnuson,  clerk.) 

1849,  Medad  K.  Tucker.  (J.B.Steele,  " 
1850-.51,  Thomas  Stoddard. 

(L.  Sharpe, 
collector.) 


1852-3j  Joseph  Chipmaii. 

1854,  William  S.  Mallory 

1855,  Stephen  H.  Culver. 

1856,  E.  F.  Bassett. 


1857,  David  Beach. 

1858,  H.  B.  Beecher. 

1859,  Edwin  Smith. 
1860-61,  John  Davis. 

1862,  J.  W.  Bassett. 

1863,  Henry  P.  Davis. 

1864,  J.  Armstrong. 
1865-7,  W.  E.  Hendryx. 
1868,  A.  W.  Lonnshury. 


117 

(H.  B.  Beecher,  clerk 

1857  to  1859.; 
(L.  Sharpe,  collector 

1858  to  1861.) 


TEACHERS 

1843,  Mr.  Lum,  two  terms. 

1844,  Miss  Lindley,  summer  term. 
1846,  Mr.  Stuart,  two  terms. 
1852,  Miss  Chatfield  from  Quaker  farms. 
1855,  Leverett  Mallory,  Fred'k  Durand. 
1857,  Leverett  Mallory. 
1859,  Miss  Wilcox,  summer  term. 
1863,  Ellen  M.  Clark. 


April,  1864,  to  Mar.,  1865,  MaryTomlin.sou, 
April  to  Sept.,  1867,  Mary  Tomlinson. 
Jan.  to  April,  1869,  Ella  Davis. 
April,  1869,  to  April,  1870,  Lydia  Payne. 
April,  1870,  to  July,  1873,  M.A.Hotchkiss. 
Sept.,  1873,  to  July,  1874,  Emma  J.  Downs. 
Sept.,  1874,  to  Dec,  187.5,  M.A.Hotchkiss. 
Jan.,  1876,  to  1878,  Lottie  E.  Booth. 


CENTER   SCHOOL,   No.  6. 

This  was  set  off  from  No.  5  in  181:7.  A  "select  school"  had  been  kept 
by  Mrs.  Hodge  in  a  building  which  stood  near  where  the  south  end  of  the 
pin-shop  now  is.  The  building  was  taken  for  the  district  school  and  removed 
above  the  cotton  ftictory,  to  where  the  wool-room  of  Kalmia  Mills  now  is,  then 
to  where  Second  street  terminates,  above  Maple  street,  and  when  the  ear- 
shops  were  built  it  was  removed  to  its  present  location. 

TEACHEES. 
1852,  Charles  W.  Sharpe. 
18G7,  Miss  Coltingham. 
1869  to  July,  1875,  Jessie  C.  Perkins. 
Sept.,  1875,  to  1878,  Maria  M.  Tucker. 


SECOND   INTERMEDIATE    SCHOOL. 

Established  in  September,  1878.     Arthur  L.  Candee,  teacher. 


FIRST   INTERMEDIATE    SCHOOL. 

TEACHERS. 

April,  1869,  to  April,  1870,  Mary  A.  Swift. 
April  to  July,  1870,  Cornelia  A.  Chatfield. 
Sept.,  1870,  to  July,  1872,  H.  A.  Woodford. 
Sept.,  1872,  to  July,  1873,  E.  J.  Downs. 
Sept.,  1873,  to  April,  1875,  Sarah  M.  Riggs. 
April  to  Dec,  1875,  Clara  F.  Abbott. 
Jan.,  1876,  to  1878,  Emma  S.  Tomlinson. 


118  SEYMOUE  AXD  VICINITY. 


THE    HIGH   SCHOOL. 

Humphreysville  Academy,  established  in  1849,  during'  its  continuance, 
satisfied  the  demand  for  a  school  of  higher  grade,  and  perhaps  for  this  reason 
the  High  School  Association,  incorporated  in  1851,  failed  of  its  purpose. 
The  Humphreysville  Academy  was  very  popular  under  the  direction  of  Geo. 
B.  Glendining,  and  deservedly  so.  He  was  an  efficient  instructor,  and  drew 
many  pupils  from  neighboring  towns  as  well  as  from  distant  cities.  In  1853 
he  removed  to  a  larger  town  towards  New  York  and  was  succeeded  by  Fred- 
erick Durand,  who  taught  two  years  in  Union  Hall.  JNIr.  Gay,  a  graduate 
of  Yale,  came  in  August,  1855,  but  continued  only  a  few  months.  The 
subject  of  a  Union  High  School  was  agitated,  but  the  meetings  called  to  con- 
sider the  subject  were  no  avail  until  after  the  passage  of  a  law  authorizing  the 
establishment  of  such  a  school  by  the  town,  independent  of  school  societies 
and  school  districts.  The  school  was  permanently  established  in  1804. 
Martha  J.  Morris  was  employed  as  assistant  from  September,  1867,  to  De- 
cember, 1868.  Since  then  no  assistant  has  been  employed  in  the  High 
School,  but  the  establishment  of  the  two  intermediate  departments  has  prac- 
tically made  a  high  school  of  three  grades,  and  only  a  new  and  commodious 
school  building  is  especially  needed  to  place  Seymour  in  the  lirst  rank  as 
regards  the  facilities  for  conmion  school  education. 

TEACHERS. 

1864  to  July,  1866,  Miss  Hennance. 

Sept.,  1866,  to  July,  1867,  Frederick  Durand. 

Sept.,  1867,  to  Dec,  1868,  Prof.  A.  F.  Reynolds. 

Jan.  to  April,  1869,  Martha  J.  Morris. 

April,  1869,  to  April,  1870,  Celia  A.  Stanley. 

April  to  July,  1870,  Miss  S.  A.  Atwater. 

Sept.,  1870,  to  July,  1871,  Mrs.  Lottie  E.  Bigelow. 

Sept.,  1871,  to  July,  1872,  Lucy  S.  Merwiu. 

Sept.  to  Dec,  1872,  Mary  R.  Deery. 

Jan.,  1873,  to  July,  1874,  Arthur  Kilgore, 

Sept.,  1874,  to  April,  1875,  Frank  H.  Brewer. 

April,  1875,  to  July,  1878,  William  H.  Warner. 

Sept.,  1878,  Rev.  C.  W.  Sharpe. 


SEYMOUE  AXD  VICINITY.  119 

§f  iai  Hill  M^  1«  Clmiil* 


q^HliS  is  one  of  the  oldest  Methodist  societies  in  Conuectifut  and  at  one 
^ff  time  ranked  highest  in  strength  and  numbers  in  the  Derby  Circuit, 
^h  which  then  inchuled  the  towns  of  the  Naugatuck  Valley  as  far  as  Wa- 
^r  terbury.  Rev.  Heman  Bangs,  who  was  presiding  ekler  about  sixty 
IW)  je^i's  ago,  said  Great  Hill  was  liis  main  stay,  and  Rev.  Elijah  Woolsey, 
circuit  preacher  in  1814,  in  his  book  called  "The  Lights  and  Shadows 
of  the  Itinerancy,"  gives  space  to  incidents  of  his  experience  on  Great  Hill. 
It  had  been  an  old  Presbyterian  parish,  the  church  standing  near  the  Davis 
place.  Abner  Smith  was  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Society  in  1814 
and  for  many  years  preceding,  but  moved  west  soon  after,  and  the  pulpit  was 
by  general  consent  occupied  by  JNIethodist  clergymen.  From  the  time  when 
Rev.  Jesse  Lee  proclaimed  the  "Glad  Tidings"  through  the  valley  of  the 
Naugatuck,  service  was  held  here  by  his  successors  from  time  to  time,  and  a 
prosperous  church  grew  up.  For  a  number  of  years,  between  1810  and  1820, 
Cyrus  Botsford  was  chorister  and  was  considered  an  excellent  music  teacher. 
The  choirs  in  those  days  were  large  and  some  humorous  anecdotes  are  told  of 
coiTections  made  by  Mr.  B.  when  discordant  notes  were  heard,  when  his 
words  were  more  emphatic  than  appropriate  to  the  place.  Mr.  B.  was  four 
times  married  and  had  seventeen  children.  Capt.  Isaac  Bassett  and  wife, 
grand  parents  of  Capt.  Elliott  Bassett,  were  among  the  first  Methodists  on 
the  Hill.  The  late  Judson  English  was  closely  identified  with  the  Great  Hill 
church  for  half  a  century.  The  eccentric  George  L.  Fuller,  pastor  in  1845 
and  184G,  is  still  remembered  by  many  residents  of  the  Hill,  Fearless  and 
untiling  in  his  Master's  service,  he  labored  with  great  success  and  many  were 
the  anecdotes  told  of  his  labors.  At  one  time  in  a  revival  meeting  he  preached 
from  the  parable  of  the  swine,  (Matt.,  viii :  30-32),  and  afterward  passed 
around  among  the  congregation  urging  them  to  repentance.     A  young  man,' 

T W ,  replied  to  him  very  discourteously  that  there  was  no  need  of 

it,  since,  according  to  the  sermon,  all  the  devils  were  drowned.  The  eccentric 
clergyman  knelt  in  prayer  and  remembered  the  young  man  as  follows:  "Oh 
Lord,  we  read  in  Thy  blessed  word  that  the  swine  rushed  down  into  the  sea 
and  were  drowned ;  but  oh.  Lord,  one  hog  swam  ashore,  and  here  he  is 
right  before  us.  Drive  the  devil  out  of  him  and  make  a  man  of  him,"  etc. 
It  is  said  that  if  the  logic  was  not  convincing,  the  whole-souled  earnestness  of 
the  preacher  was,  and  apparently  the  prayer  was  answered.  A  man,  at  whose 
house  a  prayer-meeting  was  to  be  held  one  Saturday  evening,  sent  an  invita- 
tion to  a  neighbor,  a  staunch  Presbyterian,  to  attend.  He  sent  back  word 
that  he  wished  to  be  excused  as  he  "kept  Saturday  night,"  but  he  soon  began 
to  attend  the  meetings  and  continued  to  be  a  regular  attendant  for  more  than 
thirty  years.  Anson  Gillette  was  the  first  class-leader,  over  sixty-five  years 
ago.  The  i)resent  church  edifice  was  built  by  subscription  in  1853-4.  Almost 
the  only  preaching  on  the  hill  for  the  forty  years  preceding  had  been  by  the 
Methodists,  to  whom  the  old  Presbyterian  church  had  been  given  up.  The 
church  was  dedicated  on  ^^'ednesday,  October  25th,  1854.  The  subscriptions 
that  day  were  $580,  leaving  a  debt  of  only  $300,  which  has  since  been  paid. 
Though  the  society  is  smaller  now  by  reason  of  the  draught  upon  it  by  the 
nourishing  manutacturing  centers  around,  yet  considerable  improvements 
have  been  made  in  and  about  the  church  in  the  past  few  years,  and  the 
services  of  the  sanctuarv  are  well  sustained. 


120  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 


PAPER   MAKING   IlS^   SEYMOUR. 

fe|HE  first  to  establish  the  manufacture  of  paper  in  tliis  place  was  General 
"  *"  Humphreys.  He  built  the  first  paper  mill  in  1805,  but  soon  sold  it  to 
Worrull  &  Hudson.  At  this  time  the  paper  was  made  by  hand.  An 
engine  for  preparing  the  pulp  was  in  use,  but  from  this  it  was  dipped 
out  into  fine  sieves,  the  size  the  sheet  of  paper  was  to  be  made,  shaken 
about  to  pack  the  fiber,  a  felt  or  flannel  laid  on,  and  the  paper  tipped 
out  on  it.  125  sheets  were  so  piled  up,  making,  with  the  felts,  a  pile  about 
15  inches  high.  This  was  pressed  in  a  screw  press,  then  taken  out  of  the  felts 
and  hung  on  poles  to  dry,  then  pressed  in  li  ream  bunches.  The  next  day  the 
sheets  were  "stripped"  or  separated  and  pressed  in  the  dry  press.  Writing 
paper  was  laid  sheet  by  sheet  between  press  boards  with  occasional  iron  plates 
and  pressed  again.  In  1816  Worrull  &  Hudson  sold  out  to  P^benezer  Fisher 
and  Henry  LeForge.  In  1817  Sanmel  Koselle,  afterwards  a  partner,  came 
to  the  place  and  commenced  work  in  the  paper  mill. 

The  mill  was  raised  a  story  in  1825,  and  paper  then  first  made  altogether 
by  machinery.  The  mill  was  sold  to  the  Ilumphreysville  Manufacturing 
Company  January  27th,  1831.  This  company  commenced  the  manufacture 
of  paper  in  May,  1831,  with  but  four  employees — Chester  Jones,  Wm.  Bates, 
Jane  Patchen  and  Lois  Thompson,  but  during  the  month  the  number  was 
increased  to  16,  and  afterward  to  18.  The  16th  of  April,  1832,  they  com- 
menced running  night  and  day.  They  were  then  making  paper  for  the  New 
Haven  Palladium  and  other  papers.  Not  only  news  but  tissue  and  colored 
papers  were  produced.  It  is  evident  that  the  circulation  of  the  papers  was 
not  very  large  from  the  fact  that  500  pounds  of  paper  was  considered  a  good 
day's  work  at  the  time  they  were  supplying  several  printing  offices  besides 
making  other  kinds  of  paper. 

The  establishment  was  taken  by  George  L.  Hodge,  Sharon  Y.  Beach 
and  Samuel  Roselle  August  17tli,  1843,  under  the  firm  name  of  Hodge  & 
Co.,  this  partnership  continuing  two  years. 

In  1815  the  Humphreysville  Manufacturing  Company,  by  their  special 
agent,  Timothy  Dwiglit,  sold  the  paper  mill  with  a  five  years'  lease  of  the 
water  to  Ezekiel  Gilbert,  Sharon  Y.  Beach  and  Samuel  Roselle,  who  carried 
on  the  business  five  years  under  the  firm  name  of  Gilbert,  Beach  &  Co.  The 
water  lease  expired  in  1850,  and  as  the  Humphreysville  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany declined  all  offers  for  a  renewal,  Mr.  Beach  bought  out  the  other  two 
partners,  pulled  down  the  mill,  and  put  it  up  again  in  "  Blueville,"  on  Bladen's 
Brook,  about  a  mile  east  of  the  old  location,  where  it  has  since  remained. 
Among  the  numerous  publications  for  which  Mr.  B.  has  furnished  more  or 
less  paper  is  Barber's  History  of  Connecticut,  New  Haven  Palladium,  Regis- 
ter, Journal  and  Courier,  the  Waterbury  American,  and  the  Seymour  Record. 
In  February  and  March  of  1859  a  large  addition  was  built  to  the  mill. 
In  September  of  1860  the  wooden  flume  was  taken  out  and  an  iron  one  put 
in.  New  machinery  has  been  added  from  time  to  time,  engines,  boilers,  cal- 
enders, «&c.,  reservoirs  built  on  the  hill  near  by  to  insure  a  full  supply  of  pure 
water,  so  much  needed  in  the  manufacture  of  paper,  and  other  improvements 
made,  until  Mr.  B.  has  about  $20,000  invested  in  the  business,  making  a 
large  mill,  furnished  with  the  most  approved  machinery  and  turning  out  large 
quantities  of  superior  colored  papers,  that  having  been  made  a  specialty  of  the 
mill  for  a  number  of  years  past. 


SEYMOUE  AND  VICINITY.  121 

The  first  mill  on  the  site  of  Smith's  paper  mill  was  built  in  1831  under 
the  direction  of  John  Eiggs  for  John  S.  Moshier,  The  machinery  was  de- 
signed and  built  by  Cyrus  Lee,  millwright,  in  whose  employ  were  Smith 
Botsford  and  Sheldon  Hurd.  Mr.  Moshier  purchased  the  land  from  the  Capt. 
Merrick  farm,  once  owned  by  Rev.  Jesse  Johnson,  includmg  the  upper  mill 
site,  now  occupied  by  the  rubber  mill.  Newel  Johnson  purchased  the  latter 
and  paid  Moshier  in  work  on  the  paper  mill.  Johnson  built  a  small  dam  near 
the  upper  end  of  the  present  rubber  mill  dam,  and  built  a  small  machine  shop. 
The  paper  mill  was  completed  and  commenced  running  in  the  spring  of  1832. 
William  Bates  was  employed  as  superintendent  and  Samuel  Bassett  run  the 
paper  machine.  John  Bodge  was  also  employed  in  the  mill,  and  so  continued 
until  his  death  in  18G8,  a  period  of  thirty-nine  years.  At  this  time  the  wages 
paid  for  work  in  paper  mills  varied  from  one  dollar  for  sixteen  hours'  work 
to  five  shillings  for  twelve  hours. 

Early  in  1833  the  paper  mill  passed  into  the  hands  of  John  C.  Wheeler, 
and  in  April  was  leased  to  Daniel  White  for  three  years  at  an  annual  rent  of 
$600.  Mr.  White  was  then  in  the  paper  business  at  the  Falls,  and  his  lease 
of  that  mill  had  one  year  longer  to  run.  Sylvester  Smith,  who  had  been  in 
Mr.  White's  employ  one  year  in  the  old  mill,  was  now  transferred  to  the 
superintendency  of  the  new  mill.  During  the  year  the  most  of  the  paper 
made  in  the  mill  was  of  a  fine  quality,  for  books  and  periodicals.  All  paper 
was  then  sold  on  six  and  nine  months'  credit.  For  about  four  years  this  mill 
furnished  the  paper  for  reprinting  Blackwood's  Magazine  and  other  foreign 
periodicals  by  T.  Foster  in  New  York. 

Mr.  White,  being  unsuccessful  in  business,  gave  up  the  mill  in  the  spring 
of  1834,  and  his  successor  (John  C.  Wheeler)  gave  Sylvester  Smith  a  one- 
quarter  interest  in  the  business,  Wheeler  furnishing  the  capital.  Their  part- 
nership lasted  three  years.  But  from  1834  the  times  were  hard  and  the  price 
of  paper  fell  otf  almost  one-fourth.  Wheeler,  who  was  also  in  company  with 
Raymond  French  in  the  auger  business,  met  with  heavy  losses  in  the  hard 
times  of  1837.  The  dam  was  carried  away  in  April,  1837,  but  rebuilt  before 
July,  and  Wheeler  then  rented  the  mill  to  Smith  &  Bassett  for  fifty  dollars  a 
month,  to  be  paid  in  wrapping  paper.  This  was  the  commencement  of  a 
partnership  which  lasted  nineteen  years.  Feb.  10th,  1840,  Smith  &  Bassett 
bought  the  mill  of  John  C.  Wheeler  for  $4,220,  payable  in  wrapping  paper— 
$200  every  three  months. 

Straw  was  made  into  paper  in  this  mill  in  1837,  and  was  the  first  paper 
made  from  straw  in  Connecticut.  Money  was  very  scarce  and  for  several 
years  barter  was  more  common  than  cash ;  paper  and  augers  being  extensively 
used  as  a  circulating  medium  in  this  vicinity.  In  January,  1841,  an  addition 
of  twenty  feet  was  built  on  the  south  end  of  the  mill.  Other  improvements 
were  made  in  1846,  but  on  the  2yth  of  January,  1847,  the  paper  mill  was 
entirely  consumed  by  fire.  The  loss  was  about  $0,000  and  the  insurance  was 
$3,500.  With  improved  times  and  better  fiicilities  for  making  paper,  all 
seemed  ready  for  increased  profit  when  this  fire  occurred.  On  Saturday, 
March  13th,  1847,  the  frame  of  the  nev/  mill  was  raised,  about  100  men  being 
present.  Daniel  White  had  charge  of  toe  carpenter  work  and  Smith  Botsford 
superintended  the  mill  work.  On  Saturday,  July  17tn,  paper  making  was 
resumed. 

In  January,  1856,  Mr.  Bassett  sold  his  half  of  the  mill  to  Mr.  Smith. 
During  the  time  of  their  partnership  a  large  proportion  of  the  paper  made  in 
the  mill  was  straw  boards  and  button  boards.  When  they  commenced  the 
price  of  straw  delivered  at  the  mill  was  $5  per  ton.     In  the  last  twelve  years 


122  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

of  their  partnership  the  mill  was  much  used  in  grinding  and  cleaning  rubber^ 
which  added  much  to  the  profit  of  the  mill.  But  in  1855  this  branch  of  the 
business  was  closed  up.  The  paper  business  was  then  poor  for  several  years. 
The  panic  of  1857  came  and  the  prospects  were  gloomy.  Then  came  the 
sound  of  war  and  the  tramp  of  armies,  and  everything  was  uncertain.  But 
in  the  spring  of  1863  the  paper  business  revived,  and  the  sun  of  prosperity 
arose  on  the  old  paper  works.  Prices  improved,  orders  increased  and  the 
dream  of  profits  was  upon  the  mill  owner.  But  another  unlucky  Friday  came 
and  the  paper  mill  was  again  burnt  down,  about  noon  of  March  13th,  1863. 
The  loss  was  about  $10,000  and  the  insurance  $5,000.  Fourteen  tons  of  old 
iron  was  sold  from  the  ruins.  In  two  weeks  the  timber  for  the  new  mill  was 
on  the  ground.  The  main  building  was  raised  the  last  week  in  April.  It 
was  46  by  70  feet,  and  three  stories  high.  The  machinery  was  all  put  on  the 
lower  floor,  and  two  turbine  wheels  took  the  place  of  the  large  wooden  ones. 
On  the  4tli  of  July  the  mill  was  so  far  completed  that  a  festival  was  held  in 
it  for  the  benefit  of  sick  and  wounded  soldiers.  About  five  hundred  people 
attended,  and  with  the  music  and  speaking  it  was  a  pleasant  affair.  About 
the  15th  of  August  the  mill  was  in  running  order. 

A  large  bleach-house  was  added  to  the  main  building,  and  in  the  same 
year  an  ell  was  added  to  the  east  side,  60  by  27  feet,  two  stories  high.  Ashbel 
Storrs  planned  and  superintended  the  building,  and  Smith  Botsford  was  the 
master  millwright.  Perhaps  it  was  the  most  complete  mill  for  the  work  for 
which  it  was  designed  that  had  been  built  in  the  country  up  to  that  time. 
During  the  next  two  years  the  mill  did  a  successful  business. 

In  1866  W.  W.  Smith  took  charge  of  the  mill  on  a  salary,  and  his  father 
retired  from  the  business.  In  1867  an  addition  was  made  to  the  south  end 
of  the  mill,  a  steam  engine  put  in,  and  the  manufacture  of  manilla  paper 
commenced. 

On  Monday  evening,  January  11th,  1869,  a  fire  broke  out  in  the  second 
story  of  the  ell  part  of  the  mill,  and  in  a  short  time  the  whole  building  was 
destroyed.  The  loss  was  about  $30,000  and  the  insurance  $14,000.  Mr. 
Amasa  Trowbridge  perished  in  the  flames.  At  the  cry  of  fire  he  left  his 
home  and  lost  his  life  in  the  effort  to  save  his  neighbor's  property.  In  three 
months  another  mill  was  running  in  part,  and  at  the  end  of  five  months  from 
the  date  of  the  fire  it  was  completed.  The  cost  of  this  mill  was  nearly  double 
that  which  was  built  in  1863,  so  great  had  been  the  increase  in  the  price  of 
labor  and  material. 

In  May,  1870,  the  mill  was  sold  to  Mr.  W.  W.  Smith.  This  year  was 
remarkable  for  the  long-continued  drought.  Nothing  like  it  had  ever  been 
known.  In  the  summer  of  1871  the  dam  was  carried  away,  and  Capt.  Smith, 
at  great  expense,  brought  the  water  down  from  KiuHnon  Pond  in  Naugatuck 
River,  put  in  a  wheel  opposite  the  mill,  and  applied  that  power,  underneath 
the  highway,  to  his  mill,  the  new  power  going  into  operation  in  the  first  week 
in  November.  But  another  black  Friday  came  November  10th,  and  in  the 
rainy  afternoon  the  cruel  fire  made  short  work  of  the  mill.  There  were  ten 
policies  of  insurance  of  $2,000  each  on  the  property,  but  the  then  recent  dis- 
astrous fire  in  Chicago  had  feo  damaged  several  of  the  companies  that  a  large 
part  of  the  insurance  was  lost.  The  whole  loss  by  this  fire  was  estimated  at 
$30,000.  The  mill  was  again  rebuilt  and  has  since  been  confined  to  the 
manufacture  of  a  superior  quality  of  manilla  paper. 

De  Dorest  and  Kodge  purchased  the  water  privilege  and  buildings  where 
the  rubber  works  now  are  and  changed  it  to  a  paper  mill,  running  partly  by 
steam,  making  fine  calendered  book  paper.     They  soon  sold  out  to  Smith  & 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  123 

Bassett,  who  continued  the  paper  business,  but  added  the  grinding  of  rubber. 
They  also  hired  the  mill  at  the  mouth  of  Little  River  to  grind  mbber  in,  and 
even  then  were  unable  to  do  the  work  as  fast  as  wanted.  This  mill  at  the 
mouth  of  Little  River  had  been  run  as  a  paper  mill  by  Lewis  Bunce,  and 
afterward  by  the  Rimnion  Paper  Company.  In  1854  Smith  &  Bassett  sold 
the  upper  mill  to  Austin  G.  Day,  and  it  has  since  been  occupied  by  the  Day 
Brothers  in  the  rubber  business  exclusively. 


SUPFERIKGS   OF  REYOLUTIOISrARY  SOLDIERS. 


«I^^HE  following  extract  fi-om  Ramsay's  History  of  the  Revolution,  published 
fi^l  in  Trenton  in  1811,  gives  a  good  representation  of  the  sulferings  of  pat- 
I .  riots  of  the  Revolution  who  were  captured  by  the  British,  among  whom 
^  ir  were  Bradford  Steele,  Jabez  Pritchard  and  others  mentioned  in  this 
^;     book  in  the  account  of  the  Revolutionary  period. 

The  prisoners  captured  by  Sir  William  Howe  in  1776,  amounted  to  many  hundreds.  The 
officers  were  admitted  to  parole,  and  had  some  waste  houses  assigned  to  them  as  quarters  ;  but  the 
privates  were  shut  up  in  the  coldest  season  of  the  year,  in  churches,  sugar  houses,  and  such  like 
large  open  buildings.  The  severity  of  the  weather,  and  the  rigor  of  their  treatment,  occasioned  the 
death  of  many  hundreds  of  these  unfortunate  men.  The  filth  of  the  places  of  their  confinement,  in 
consequence  of  fluxes  which  prevailed  among  them,  was  both  offensive  and  dangerous.  Seven  dead 
bodies  have  been  seen  in  one  building,  at  one  time,  and  all  lying  in  a  situation  shocking  to  humanity. 
The  provisions  served  out  to  them  were  deficient  in  quantity,  and  of  an  unwholesome  quality.  These 
suffering  prisoners  were  generally  pressed  to  enter  into  the  British  service,  but  hundreds  submitted 
to  death,  rather  than  procure  a  melioration  of  their  circumstances  by  enlisting  with  the  enemies  of 
their  country.  After  General  Washington's  successes  at  Trenton  and  Princeton,  the  American 
prisoners  fared  somewhat  better.  Those  who  survived  were  ordered  to  be  sent  out  for  exchange,  but 
some  of  them  fell  down  dead  in  the  streets,  while  attempting  to  walk  to  the  vessels.  Others  were  so 
emaciated  that  their  appearance  was  horrible.     A  speedy  death  closed  the  scene  with  many. 

The  American  board  of  war,  after  conferring  (December  1,  1777)  with  Mr.  Boudinot,  the 
commissary-general  of  prisoners,  and  examining  evidences  produced  by  him,  reported  among  other 
things,  "  That  there  were  900  privates  and  300  officers  of  the  American  army,  prisoners  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  and  about  500  privates  and  50  officers  prisoners  in  Philadelphia.  That  since  the  begin- 
ning of  October,  all  these  prisoners,  both  otiicers  and  privates,  had  been  confined  in  prison  ships  or 
the  Provost :  That  from  the  best  evidence  the  subject  could  admit  of,  the  general  allowance  of 
prisoners,  at  most,  did  not  exceed  four  ounces  of  meat  per  day,  and  often  so  damaged  as  not  to  be 
eatable  :  That  it  had  been  a  common  practice  with  the  British,  on  a  prisoner's  being  first  captured, 
to  keep  him  three,  four  or  five  days,  without  a  morsel  of  meat,  and  then  to  tempt  him  to  enlist  to 
save  his  life :  That  there  were  numerous  instances  of  prisoners  of  war  perishing  in  all  the  agonies  of 
hunger." 

About  this  time  (Dec.  24,  1777)  there  was  a  meeting  of  merchants  in  London,  for  the  purpose 
of  raising  a  sum  of  money  to  relieve  the  distresses  of  American  prisoners  then  in  England.  The  sum 
subscribed  for  that  purpose  amounted  in  two  months  to  4G47Z  15s.  Thus  while  human  nature  was 
dishonored  by  the  cruelties  of  some  of  the  British  in  America,  there  was  a  laudable  display  of  the 
benevolence  of  others  of  the  same  nation  in  Europe.  The  American  sailors,  when  captured  by  the 
British,  suffered  more  than  even  the  soldiers  which  fell  into  their  hands.  The  former  were  confined 
on  board  prison  ships.  They  were  there  crouded  together  in  such  numbers,  and  their  accommoda- 
tions were  so  wretched,  that  diseases  broke  out  and  swept  them  off  in  a  manner  that  was  sufficient 
to  excite  compassion  in  breasts  of  the  least  sensibility.  It  has  been  asserted,  on  as  good  evidence  as 
the  case  will  admit,  that  in  the  last  six  years  of  the  war  upwards  of  eleven  thousand  persons  died  on 
board  the  Jer^jey,  one  of  these  prison  ships,  which  was  stationed  in  East  river  near  New-i'ork.  On 
many  of  these,  the  rites  of  sepulture  were  never  or  very  imperfectly  conferred.  For  some  time  after 
the  war  was  ended,  their  bones  lay  whitening  iu  the  sun,  on  the  shores  of  Long-Island. 


124  SEYMOUE  AND  VICI^sTITY. 


STKEETS   OE   SEYMOUR. 


Birch,  from  Washington  avenue  to  Day  street. 

Broad,  from  Main  street  to  Derby  avenue. 

Cedar,  from  Eiver  street,  along  foot  of  Castle  Kock,  to  West  street. 

Church,  from  West  street,  east,  past  Trinity  church,  to  Mill  street. 

Culver,  from  First  avenue  to  Grand  street. 

Day,  from  North  Main  street  to  Pearl  street. 

Derby  Avenue,  from  intersection  of  Broatl  and  V*''est  streets,  southward. 

Elm,  from  Pearl  street  to  house  of  Edwin  Smith. 

Factory,  from  Main  street  to  Kalmia  Mills. 

First,  from  Factory  street  to  Maple  street. 

First  Avenue,  from  Grand  street  to  Culver  street. 

Grand,  from  Washington  avenue  to  Pearl  street. 

Grove,  from  Derby  avenue  to  Cedar  street,  past  house  of  B.  W.  Smith. 

High,  from  Pearl  street,  opposite  M.  E.  Church,  to  Culver  street. 

Hill,  from  Main  street,  southward,  formerly  Rimmon  turnpike. 

Humphrey,  from  Pearl  street  to  house  of  Isaac  Losee. 

James,  from  Main  street  to  Washington  avenue. 

Main,  running  north  towards  Pinesbridge  and  south  towards  Ansonia. 

Maple,  from  Main  street  to  West  street,  near  house  of  E.  L.  Koadley. 

Mill,  from  Eiver  street,  northwest,  to  West  street. 

MoNSON,  from  Grand  street  to  Culver  street. 

North,  from  Day  street,  north,  to  North  Main  street. 

Oak,  from  Derby  avenue  to  Cedar  street,  past  house  of  Frederick  Emery. 

Pearl,  from  South  Main  street  to  Day  street. 

Pine,  from  Broad  street  to  Derby  avenue. 

Eaymond,  from  Factory  street  to  foot  of  Third  street. 

Eimmon,  from  Maple  street,  north,  over  Eimmon  Hill. 

Eiver,  from  West  street  to  Maple  street. 

Eose,  from  Derby  avenue  to  Cedar  street,  past  house  or  S.  C.  Fcrd. 

Second,  from  Eaymond  street,  north,  to  the  river. 

Third,  from  Maple  street,  south,  to  Eaymond  street. 

Third  Avenue,  from  Grand  street,  south,  to  Culver  street. 

Walnut,  from  Hill  street,  near  house  of  S.  C.  Ford,  to  Pearl  street. 

Washington  Avenue,  (Promised  Land,)  from  Hill  street  to  Main  street. 

West,  from  intersection  of  Broad  street  and  Derby  avenue,  towards  Oxford. 

Vine,  from  Derby  avenue  to  Cedar  street,  south  of  house  of  C.  W.  Storrs, 


SEYMOUR  AXD  VICINITY.  125 


:n^otes  erom  dwight's  travels. 


Published  in  1822. 


From  Derby  the  road  crosses  Naugatuc  river ;  and  thence  proceeds  by  the  side  of  the  Hooes- 
tennuc  to  the  near  neighbourhood  of  its  fountains  in  New-Ashford.  From  Derby  to  Kent  the  course 
is  nearly  North-West;  and  throughout  the  whole  distance  to  New-Milford  is  almost  literally  on  the 
bank.  The  valley  is  every  where  narrow ;  and  the  prospect  limited  on  both  sides  by  hills  of  consid- 
erable height.  A  few  of  these  are  bold,  masculine  bluffs,  with  rude  precipices,  which  may  be  called 
magnificent.  Almost  all  of  them  present  declivities,  too  steep  for  convenient  cultivation,  covered 
with  a  soil  too  unpromising  to  tempt  the  labours  of  the  husbandman.  At  times  it  is  sandy ;  at  others 
rocky;  and  at  others  cold.  Hence  this  region  is  more  thinly  populated  than  any  other,  of  equal 
extent,  within  the  limits  of  Connecticut.  The  houses,  also,  are  few ;  and  most  of  them  indifferent 
buildings.  In  the  parish  of  South-Britain,  eighteen  miles  from  Derby,  and  twenty-sis  from  New- 
Haven,  there  is  a  small  exception  to  these  remarks.  The  rest  of  the  tract  is  solitary;  and,  with  the 
aid  of  a  road  generally  sandy  and  heavy,  is  far  from  inviting  excursions  of  pleasure. 

You  will  remember,  that  these  observations  are  applied  only  to  the  narrow  valley  of  the 
Hooestennuc,  through  which  we  passed ;  extending  rarely  more  than  a  mile  in  breadth ;  and 
generally  not  more  than  one  fourth  of  a  mile.  As  soon  as  these  steep  hills  are  ascended,  their  surface 
presents  a  good  soil,  and  eprightlier  scenery,  had  numerous  population  and  flourishing  settlements. 

The  first  township,  along  the  skirt  of  which  we  passed  after  we  had  left  Derby,  is  Oxford ', 
formerly  a  part  of  that  township.  Oxford  is  a  collection  of  hills  and  vallies,  generally  covered  with 
a  strong  soil.  The  inhabitants  are  universally  farmers.  It  includes  two  Congregations ;  a  Presby- 
terian and  an  Episcopal  plurality;  and,  in  1800,  contained  1,410  inhabitants;  in  1810,  1,413. 

Immediately  North  of  Oxford  lies  the  township  of  Southbury,  along  a  tributary  stream  of  the 
Hooestennuc.  Its  surface  is  pleasant ;  and  the  soil,  excellent.  It  is  divided  into  two  parishes  ;  the 
Town,  and  South-Britain.  The  town  is  a  pretty  collection  of  houses,  chiefly  on  a  single  street, 
running  from  North  to  South.  The  parish  of  South-Britain  is  small.  That  part  of  it,  which  borders 
upon  the  Hooestennuc,  presents  the  only  specimen  of  soft  scenery  on  our  road,  until  we  reached 
New-Milford.  The  expansion  here  was  wider,  the  hills  more  handsomely  shaped,  and  the  river 
adorned  with  several  intervals.  The  soil  was  better  than  in  the  parts  through  which  we  have  passed 
before.  Here,  also,  was  a  scattered  hamlet,  the  inhabitants  of  which  appeared  to  be  in  better 
circumstances.  Southbury  contains  two  Presbyterian  congregations.  In  the  year  1774,  it  was  a 
part  of  Woodbury.  In  1790,  it  contained  1,738  inhabitants:  in  1800,  1,757;  and  in  1810,  (a  part  of 
it  having  been  taken  off  to  form  the  township  of  Middlebury,)  1,413. — [Vol.  Ill,  pp.  396-7.] 

New-Haven  is  the  shire  town  of  the  County  of  New-Haven,  in  a  State  distinguished  for  the 
rigid  execution  of  its  laws.  Of  course  all  the  capital  punishments  in  the  County  have  been  inflicted 
here.  The  whole  number  of  these  in  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  years,  has  been  thirteen.  Of 
these,  five  were  whites ;  five  were  Indians ;  and  three  were  blacks.  Of  the  whites,  one  was  a 
stranger  taken  up  as  a  spy,  as  he  was  passing  through  this  town,  and  executed,  pursuant  to  a  sentence 
of  a  court  martial.  Three  of  the  remaining  four  were  natives  of  England.  It  does  not  appear,  that- 
any  inhabitant  of  this  town,  or  County,  ever  suffered  death  by  the  hand  of  law.  There  is  no  reason 
to  conclude,  that  the  people  of  this  County  are  more  distinguished  for  their  morals  than  most  of  the 
other  settlements,  which  have  been  established  for  any  length  of  time.  In  this  respect,  (the  paucity 
of  capital  punishments,)  New-England  may  be  compared  with  Scotland,  and  Switzerland;  and  will 
suffer  no  disadvantage  by  the  comparison. — [Vol.  IV,  p.  334.] 

There  is  not  a  spot  on  the  globe,  where  so  little  is  done  to  govern  the  inhabitants ;  nor  a  spot, 
where  the  inhabitants  are  so  well  governed,  or,  perhaps,  in  more  appropriate  terms,  where  the  state 
of  society  is  so  peaceable,  orderly,  and  happy.  A  recurrence  to  the  manner,  in  which  elections  are 
carried  on  here,  as  described  in  a  former  part  of  these  letters,  will  enable  you  to  compare  them  with 


126  SEYMOUK  AXD  VICIXITY. 

your  own.  Those  in  your  country  have  been  described  to  me  on  various  occasions,  by  authority 
which  cannot  be  questioned.  They  are  scenes  of  riot,  tumult,  and  violence.  Ours  are  scarcely  less 
decent  than  religious  assemblies. — [Vol.  IV,  p.  335.] 

The  people  of  New-England  have  always  had,  and  have  by  law  always  been  required  to  have, 
arms  in  their  hands.  Every  man  is,  or  ought  to  be,  in  the  possession  of  a  musket.  The  great  body 
of  our  citizens,  also,  are  trained  with  a  good  degree  of  skill,  and  success,  to  military  discipline.  Yet 
I  know  not  a  single  instance,  in  which  arms  have  been  the  instruments  of  carrying  on  a  private 
quarrel.  *  *  *  C)n  a  country,  more  peaceful  and  quiet,  it  is  presumed,  the  sun  never  shone. 
*  *  *  In  Connecticut,  the  government,  whether  of  the  Colony  or  the  State,  has  never  met  with 
a  single  serious  attempt  at  resistance  to  the  execution  of  its  laws.  *  *  *  Our  laws  provide 
efifectually  for  the  comfortable  maintenance  of  all  the  poor',  who  are  inhabitants;  and,  so  long  as 
they  are  with  us,  of  poor  strangers,  in  what  country  soever  they  are  born ;  and,  when  they  are  sick, 
supply  them  with  physicians,  nurses,  and  medicines.  The  children  of  the  poor  are  furnished  with 
education  and  apprenticeships,  at  the  public  expense. — [Vol.  IV,  p.'  336-7.] 

BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES. 


ABIEL   CANFIELD, 

A  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  was  bom  April  Gtli,  1753.  He  enlisted  in  the 
coni]mny  of  Capt.  Pierson  as  piper,  May  8th,  1777,  and  marched  to  New 
Haven  the  same  day,  where  he  remained  with  the  forces  for  the  protection  of 
the  city  and  harbor  during  the  term  of  his  service.  He  married  Mary  Barlow^ 
of  Stratford  Dec.  23d,  1779,  and  lived  in  West  street,  the  second  house  on 
the  left  from  Church  street,  still  standing.  He  had  a  shop  in  the  rear,  where 
he  manufactured  brass  and  pewter  buttons,  buckles,  sleigh  bells,  metal  tags, 
&c.  The  pewter  buttons  were  cast  in  moulds.  He  employed  an  English 
engineer  to  cut  the  dies  used  in  making  the  figures  upon  the  buttons,  for 
military  and  other  uses.  He  afterward  ijurchased  of  Bradford  Steele  the 
house  east  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  built  a  shop  near  by.  He  died  Dec. 
Gth,  1812,  aged  59  years  and  7  months. 

IlEY.  ALOXZO  B.  PULLIXG, 

Pastor  of  the  Methodist  Ejnscopal  church  a  portion  of  1876  and  1877,  laboring 
zealously  and  efficiently  for  the  good  of  those  under  his  pastoral  care.  "A 
good  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  put  in  trust  with  the  Gospel."  He 
became  superannuated  at  the  end  of  his  pastorate  and  continued  to  reside  at 
East  Village,  with  the  exception  of  his  pastorate  in  Seym(tur,  until  his  death. 
He  united  with  his  conference  in  the  spring  of  1816,  and  filled  important 
charges  with  marked  fidelity  and  acceptability,  remaining  almost  without 
exception  the  full  term  allowed  by  the  church.  He  served  in  the  New  Milford 
charge  twice,  the  first  term  of  two  years  and  the  second  three  years.  He 
leaves  a  good  record,  and  has  been  called  from  labor  to  his  reward.  "Well 
done  good  and  faithful  servant." 

MRS.  ANX  S.  STEPHENS, 

The  gifted  writer,  was  the  daughter  of  John  VVinterbottom,  junior  partner 
of  T.  Yose  &  Co.,  successors  to  General  Humphreys  in  the  manufacture  of 
broadcloth.  She  went  to  school  in  Sheffield,  Canaan  and  other  places,  and 
wrote  her  first  composition— an  epigram  upon  a  boy  in  her  father's  employ — 
at  the  age  of  seven.     The  first  composition  she  published  was  an  address  to  a 


LUGEAXD  SHARP. 


SEYMOUR  A^B  VICIXITY.  127 

friend,  a  student  in  Yale  College,  printed  in  the  New  Haven  Post.  In  1832 
she  married  Mr.  Edward  Stephens  of  Plymouth,  Mass.,  and  in  1831  published 
the  "Polish  Boy."  Two  years  later  she  started  a  literary  magazine  in  Port- 
land, Maine,  and  in  it  wrote  her  first  story  and  published  ''The  Tradesman's 
Daughter."  In  1838  she  became  editress  of  the  Ladies'  Companion,  in  New 
Y'ork,  and  published  "Mary  Derwent,"  "The  Deluded,"  aad  other  serials. 
Later  she  was  with  George  R.  Graham  and  Edgar  A.  Poe  on  Graham  ]\Iaga- 
zine  in  Philadelphia,  at  the  same  time  acting  as  co-editress  with  Charles  J. 
Peterson,  of  Peterson's  Magazine.  Mrs.  Stephens  and  Mr.  Peterson  have 
been  associated  for  over  thirty  years.  About  twenty  years  ago  Mrs.  Stephens 
published  the  original  of  "Fashion  and  Famine"  in  Peterson's  Magazine, 
which  was  afterwards  printed  in  book  form,  being  the  first  book  she  ever  pub- 
lished. Her  published  works  now  include  about  thirty  novels,  a  "History  of 
the  War"  in  two  volumes,  and  two  humorous  works.  The  opening  scenes  of 
"Bertha's  Engagement"  are  laid  here,  and  also  the  story  of  "Malvina  Gray." 
She  is  now  a  regular  contributor  to  Peterson's  Magazine  and  other  publica- 
tions. Her  story  of  "Fashion  and  Famine"  had  a  circulation  of  over  80,000 
copies. 

SQUIRE  DAVID  FRENCH, 
The  oldest  son  of  Israel  French,  was  a  patriot  of  the  Revolution,  going  to 
Boston  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  to  assist  in  resisting  the  encroachments 
of  despotism.  He  was  trial  justice  of  the  north  part  of  the  town  of  Woodbridge 
for  many  years,  and  tried  more  cases  than  any  other  justice  in  Woodbridge. 
The  late  Judge  David  Dagget  of  New  Haven  said  that  he  had  pleaded  a 
great  many  cases  before  'Squire  David.  He  represented  the  town  of  Wood- 
bridge  in  the  General  Assembly  twenty  successive  semi-annual  terms.  He 
first  built  his  log-house  in  Nyumphs,  at  a  place  which  he  afterwards  gave  to 
his  son  Luther.  He  was  for  many  years  a  deacon  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church  of  Bethathy  under  the  Rev.  Samuel  Hawley,  but  when  Rev.  George 
Whitfield  visted  this  country  he  became  a  convert  to  his  views  of  experimental 
religion,  and  afterwards  was  a  regular  member  of  the  new  s6ct  of  IMethodists, 
which  soon  spread  over  the  country  like  a  great  tidal  wave.  He  was  never 
one  of  the  enthusiastic  kind,  but  earnest  ancl  strongly  sincere.  All  his  public 
life  he  was  much  accustomed  to  public  speaking,  and  used  often  in  the  General 
Assembly  to  encounter  the  celebrated  Pierpont  Edwards.  He  had  a  strong 
voice  and  expressed  his  opinions  with  energy  and  confidence.  These  opinions, 
whether  religious  or  political,  were  always  such  as  to  command  respect.  He 
died  Aug.  4th,  1821,  aged  80  years. 

LUGRAND  SHARP, 

Son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Sharj),  was  born  in  Ridgefield,  Ct.,  June  1st,  1797. 
He  was  a  great-grandson  of  Thomas  Sharp  of  Newtown,  who  emigrated  from 
England  to  Stratford  in  1700,  and  was  one  of  the  original  thirty-six  proprietors 
and  a  surveyor  of  the  the  town  of  Newtown.  Thomas  Sharp,  3rd,  purchased 
lands  in  Oxford,  near  Zoar  Bridge  in  1804  and  settled  there,  but  died  in  1805, 
Lugrand  being  then  but  eight  years  of  age.  In  1821  he  purchased  the  place 
in  Sonthford  on  which  the  Abbott  mansion  now  stands.  In  1823  he  married 
Olive  M.,  daugher  of  Ebenezer  Booth,  cabinet  maker,  who  built  the  house, 
dam  and  factory  since  owned  by  Rev.  William  Cutts,  knife  manufacturer. 
He  was  an  earnest  and  efficient  laborer  in  the  Methodist  society  formed  at 
Sonthford,  of  which  Rev.  Samuel  Hickox  of  Seymour  was  the  first  pastor. 
It  was  to  a  great  extent  due  to  his  efforts  that  a  union  meeting-house  was  soon 
built  at  Sonthford,  and  a  class  formed  at  Quakei'  Farms,  of  which  he  was  the 


128  SEYMOUR  AND  VICIKITY. 

first  leader.  His  house  was  always  open  to  the  hard-working  itinerant 
preachers  of  those  days,  and  he  continued  to  be  one  of  the  most  active  members 
of  the  Southford  church  until  1843,  when  he  sold  out  and  came  to  Humphreys- 
ville,  now  Seymour.  In  1849  he  built  the  house  on  Hill  street,  which  he 
afterwards  occupied  until  his  death.  He  was  for  several  years  superintendent 
of  the  Sunday  school,  and  afterwards  an  active  member  of  it  until  within  two 
or  tSiree  years  of  his  death.  He  contributed  liberally  to  such  religious  and 
benevolent  causes  as  received  his  approval,  giving  over  $1,500  to  the  mission- 
ary cause  during  the  last  nine  years  of  his  life.  He  died  May  1st,  1876,  aged 
78  years.  His  last  years  were  literally  and  fully  devoted  to  the  service  of 
the  Lord,  and  when  his  last  sickness  came  he  felt  that  his  work  was  done  and 
he  waited  in  patience  for  the  Master's  call. 

SAMUEL  WIRE 

Was  born  at  Greenfield  Hills,  Fairfield,  Feb.  8th,  1789.  He  came  to  Hum- 
phreysville  when  thirteen  years  of  age  to  learn  the  clothing  business  under 
General  Humphreys.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  married  the  sister  of  the 
late  General  Clark  Wooster,  who  died  after  several  years  of  happy  married 
life,  without  children.  Mr.  Wire  soon  afterwards  commenced  the  manufacture 
of  satinet  warps  in  the  south  part  of  Oxford,  and  married  his  second  wife,  who 
was  the  daughter  of  David  Candee.  He  represented  the  town  at  several 
sessions  of  the  General  Assembly  and  held  other  important  ofiices  of  trust, 
being  at  one  time  the  most  influential  politician  in  town.  In  1847  he  removed 
to  New  Haven,  where  he  was  a  constable  for  several  years  and  then 'city 
sheriff.  He  was  one  of  the  oldest  Freemasons  in  the  State,  and  a  member  of 
Franklin  Chapter  and  Harmony  Council.  He  was  a  man  of  genial  disposi- 
tion, faithful  and  upright.     He  died  May  3rd,  1874,  aged  86  years. 


IK  MEMORIAM. 


In  the  Riramon  burying-ground,  on  a  bluff  on  the  west  side  of  the  Nau- 
gatuck,  are  seven  gi-avestones  with  the  following  inscriptions : 
Susanna,  wife  of  Lieut.  Thomas  Clark,  died  Apr.  1,  1768,  aged  29  years. 
Phoebe,  wife  of  David  Johnson,  Aug.  6,  1777,  in  the  47th  year  of  her  age. 
In  memory  of  Joseph  Riggs,  son  of  Mr.  Joseph  and  Mistress  Anna  Riggs, 

who  departed  this  life  March  22,  1794,  in  the  8th  year  of  his  age. 
Joseph  Riggs  died  Mar.  19,  1791,  in  the  38th  year  of  his  age,  who  was  a 

pattern  of  industry,  a  friend  to  virtue,  and  a  pillar  of  society. 
In  memory  of  David  Johnson  Riggs,  son*  of  Mr.  Joseph  and  Mistress  Anna 

Riggs,  who  departed  this  life  March  24th,  1794,  in  the  15th  year  of  his  age. 
In  memory  of  Mrs.  Sarah,  relict  of  Mr.  Benajah  Johnson,  who  departed  this 

life  May  7,  1773,  aged  72  years. 
Thomas  Clark,  died  Oct.  11,  1797,  aged  33  years. 

DEATHS,   ARRANGED  ALPHABETICA1,LY. 

Abram  Bassett,  Nov.  17th,  1853,  aged  81  years. 

Samuel  Bassett,  Sept.  28th,  1851,  aged  67  years. 

Betsey,  wife  of  David  Beach,  Oct.  9th,  1822,  aged  21  years. 

Mrs.  Beebe,  Nov.  15th,  1822,  aged  70  years. 

Mrs.  Charles  Benham,  June  1st,  1822,  aged  27  years. 

Dorcas  Bradley,  Dec.  3rd,  1814,  aged  92  years. 


SEYMOUR  A:SD  vicinity.  129 

Betsey  Broadwell,  March  lOtli,  1821,  aged  33  years. 

Lewis  Broadwell,  Sept.  6tli,  1811,  aged  53  years. 

Huldali,  wife  of  Stephen  Booth,  Feb.  2nd,  1818,  aged  70  years. 

Annie  Case,  Xov.  lOtli,  1821,  aged  QS  years.     Residence,  Skokorat. 

Joel  Chatfield,  June  14th,  1836,  aged  79  years. 

Ruth,  wife  of  Joel  Chatfield,  Xov.  2nd,  1831,  aged  62  years  6  months. 
Sheldon  Church,  Nov.  8th,  1873,  aged  76  years. 

Lanra,  wife  of  Sheldon  Church,  Feb.  10th,  1871,  aged  73  years. 
William  Clark,  Oct.  21th,  1834,  aged  70  years. 
Miles  Culver,  July  28th,  1857. 

Phebe  Davton,  widow  of  Capt.  Eben^"  Dayton,  March  18th,  1827,  aged  77  yrs. 
John  H.  DeForest,  Feb.  12th,  1839. 
Capt.  Amadeus  Dibble,  Sept.  25th,  1827,  aged  65  yrs.     Residence,  Skokorat. 

Mary,  wife  of  Capt.  Amadeus  DibbJ^,  March  7th,  1826,  aged  29  years. 
Raymond  Dibble,  Xov.  17th,  1826,  aged  29  years. 
Joseph  Durand,  Aug.  6th,  1792,  aged  84  years. 

Anna,  wife  of  Joseph  Durand,  Feb.  14th,  1778,  aged  64  years. 
Samuel  Durand,  Feb.  18th,  1852,  aged  68  years. 
Nathaniel  French,  Nov.  13th,  1780,  aged  64  years. 
Samuel  French,  Feb.  2nd,  1883,  aged  78  years. 
Charles  French,  Esq.,  Nov.  9th,  1783,  aged  79  years. 
Enoch  French,  May  21st,  1824,  aged  64  years. 

Hannah,  wife  of  David  French,  Esq.,  Aug.  19th,  1823,  aged  19  years. 
William  French,  Oct.  16th,  1823,  aged  37  years. 

Nancy,  wife  of  William  French,  July  13th,  1823,  aged  19  years. 
William  Gerling,  Nov.  25th,  1814,  aged  60  years.     From  England. 
Ezekiel  Gilbert,  July  6th,  1848,  aged  55  years. 

Sarah  Hurd,  wife  of  Ezekiel  Gilbert,  Nov.  16th,  1870,  aged  76  years. 
Thomas  Gilyard,  Nov.  12th,  1853,  aged  67  years. 

Annie  Gilyard,  Jan.  11th,  1821,  aged  61.    Born  at  Hightown,  Yorkshire,  Eng. 
Mrs.  Jona.  Harden,  April  10th,  1822,  aged  51  years.     Residence,  Skokorat. 
Matilda  Hatte,  Nov.,  1814,  15th  daughter  of  Stephen  Hatte. 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Samuel  Hickox,  Dec.  9th,  1841,  aged  26  years. 
Timothy  Hitchcock,  Aug.  5th,  1820,  aged  72  years. 
Capt.  Daniel  Holbrook,  l3ec.  28th,  1828,  aged  59  years.     Residence,  Skokorat. 

Lois,  wife  of  Capt.  Daniel  Holbrook,  March  10th,  1827,  aged  63  years. 
David  Humphreys,  2nd,  March  21st,  1814,  aged  28  years. 
David  Humphreys,  3rd,  Dec.  2nd,  1814,  aged  3  years. 
George,  son  of  William  Humphreys,  Esq.,  July  8th,  1828. 
Hon.  John  Humphreys,  Jr.,  June  29th,  1826,  aged  53  years. 
Alexander  Johnson,  Sept.,  1817,  aged  87  years. 
Benajah  Johnson,  April  13th,  1763,  aged  59  years. 

Sarah,  wife  of  Benajah  Johnson,  March  7th,  1773,  aged  72  years. 
Chauncey  Johnson,  Dec.  26th,  1814,  aged  37  years. 
Ebenezer  Johnson,  Sept.  25th,  1792,  aged  31  years. 
Ebenezer  Johnson,  Feb.  11th,  1830,  aged  38  years. 

Eleanor  Allen,  wife  of  Ebenezer  Johnson,  July  3rd,  1870,  aged  76  years. 
Elijah  Johnson,  1847,  aged  75  years. 
Hepsibah  Johnson,  April  13th,  1823,  aged  43  years. 
Hezekiah  Johnson,  Nov.  15th,  1826,  aged  70  years. 
Isaac  Johnson,  April  10th,  1813,  aged  78  years.     Residence,  Skokorat. 

Lois,  wife  of  Isaac  Johnson,  Oct.  16th,  1814,  aged  76  years. 
Rev.  Jesse  Johnson,  Oct.  21st,  1829,  aged  56  years. 


130  SEYMOUli  AXD  VICIXITY. 

Jesse  Johnson,  Jr.,  Feb.  9th,  1820,  aged  25  years. 

Joseph  Johnson,  June  26th,  1818,  aged  59  years. 

Stiles  Johnson,  Oct.  4th,  1818,  aged  30  years.     Residence,  Skokorat. 

Tiuiotliy  Johnson,  Jan.  21st,  1830,  aged  70  years.      Residence,  Pinesbridge. 

Zeviah  Johnson,  May  29th,  1810,  aged  77  years. 

Abraham  Kenney,  Oct.  29th,  1822,  aged  30  years. 

Isaac  Kinney,  Aug.  18th,  1875,  aged  85  years  and  0  months. 

xlnna  Church,  wife  of  Isaac  Kinney,  Jan.  24:th,  1808,  aged  64  years. 
Wife  of  William  Kenney,  Sr.,  March  9th,  1827,  aged  70  years. 
William  Kinney,  Jan.  7tli,  1847,  aged  87  years. 

Elijah  Kirtland,  May  25th,  1831,  aged  31  years.  , 

John  Lane,  July  Cth,  1834,  aged  20  years. 
Jonathan  Miles,  Feb.  25th,  1830,  aged  85  years. 

Mrs.  Jonathan  Miles,  Oct.  5tlC  1822,  aged  70  vears. 
Theophilus  ]\Iiles,  Nov.  llth,  1822,  aged  83  years.  ' 
Theophilus  Miles,  Jr.,  March  15th,  1840,  aged  70  years. 
Ebeuezer  Xorthrop,  Jan.  llth,  1835,  aged  49  years. 
Miss  Lucy  Xorton,  Dec.  31st,  1809,  aged  30  years. 
John  Pitt,  ISTov.  llth,  1848,  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  cannon. 
Ebenezer  Peck,  Sept.  20th,  1813,  aged  70  years. 
Hiram  Randall,  Dec.  llth,  1833. 

Betsey,  wife  of  Moses  Riggs,  Sept.  12th,  1828,  aged  40  years. 
John  Riggs,  Nov.  llth,  1855,  aged  84  years. 

Mary,  wife  of  John  Riggs,  Dec.  15th.  1827,  aged  53  years. 
David  Sanford,  March  7th,' 1842. 
Dr.  Samuel  Sanford,  Jan.  25th,  1803,  aged  38  years. 
Jason  Skeels,  Nov.  1st,  1855,  aged  40  years. 
Col.  Ira  Smith,  Nov.  19th,  1822,  aged  44  years. 
Jesse  Smith,  1831,  aged  05  years. 

Sarah,  wife  of  Jesse  Smith,  Feb.  1820,  aged  55  years. 
James  Spencer,  May  30th,  1827,  aged  30  years. 
Capt.  Bradford  Steele,  April  18th,  1804,  aged  09  years. 

Mary,  wife  of  Capt.  Bradford  Steele,  Oct.  IGth,  1788,  aged  57  years. 
Deacon  Bradford  Steele,  Dec.  23rd,  1841,  aged  80  years. 
Norman  Steele,  July  9th,  1822,  aged  40  years. 
Abiram  Stoddard,  Nov.  23rd,  1855,  aged  79  years. 

Eunice,  wife  of  Abiram  Stoddard,  Aug.  23rd,  1855,  aged  09  years. 
John  Storrs,  March  18tli,  1841,  aged  42  years. 
Mark  Tomlinson,  Oct.  2nd,  1822,  aged  30  years. 
Sheldon  Tucker,  Jan.  5tli,  1843,  aged  57  years. 
Zephaniah  Tucker,  Sept.  18th,  1848,  aged  89  years. 
Smith  Washburn,  May  21st,  1823,  aged  28  vears. 
John  Todd  Wheeler,  (born  May  4th,  1777),  died  Sept.  3rd,  1808,  M.  91  yrs.4m. 

Sarah  Clark  Wheeler,  Aug.  llth,  1823,  aged  47  years. 

Almira  Chatlield  Wheeler,  Dec.  12th,  1873,  aged  82  years  and  6  months. 
Sally  AVheeler,  Aug.  llth,  1823,  aged  47  years. 
Simon  Wheeler,  Sept.  22nd,  1794,  aged  24  years. 
Daniel  White,  May  Gth,  1854,  aged  70  years. 
Isaac  White,  Feb.  0th,  1802,  aged  72  years. 
John  White,  Nov.  17th,  1830,  aged  73  years. 

Abigail,  wife  of  Marchant  Wooster,  Dec.  18th,  1832,  aged  78  years. 
Grace,  wife  of  Clark  Wooster,  Jan.-  1st,  1820,  aged  27  years. 
Henry  Wooster,  May  30th,  1815,  aged  79  years. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  131 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  Henry  Wooster,  Sept.  7tli,  178G,  aged  44  years. 
John  Wooster,  Aug.  2nd  1804,  aged  84  years. 

Eunice,  vnfe  of  John  Wooster,  Nov.  17th,  1799,  aged  74  years. 
John  Wooster,  Oct.  27th,  1823,  M.  60.  Arrived  from  England  Sept.  5th,  1819. 


MORNmG  STAR  LODGE,  ISTo.  47,  F.  &  A.  M. 

♦»•     =^^^  ^^^  time-honored  order  of  Free  Masonry  is  repre- 

^)r-:^^^^^     jkg^    sented  in  this  town  by  a  lodge  which  has  reached  the 
fi'^y.^^wf^^  /¥!    venerable  age  of  seventy-four  years.     Morning   Star 
)iW-#^^^^fMg^  Lodge  was  constituted  under  a  charter  fi'om  the  M.  W. 
'il  1^^^^^^:^/^  Stephen  Titus  Hosmer,  Esq.,  Grand  Master  of  the 
'-^^^^^^^^^£r  Ancient  and  Honorable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted 
/^'^>^-^^^^^^    Masons  for  the  State  of  Connecticut,  bearing- date,  or 
rather  granted  the  18th  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1804.    The  petitioners  to  whom 
the  charter  was  granted  were  Adam  Lum,  Veren  Dike,-  Silas  Sperry,  Geo.  W. 
Thomas,  Benjamin  Oaudee,  Lewis  Wakelee,  E.  C.  Candee,  Joel  Finch,  Ar- 
nold  Loveland,    William    Hm-d,   Wm.    Bronson,    Daniel     Candee,    Abel 
Wheeler,   Samuel   Kiggs,   William   Morris,  Levi  Candee,  Nathan  Davis, 
Charles  Monson,  Jessie  Scott  and  Moses  Candee,  "Brethren  of  the  Honora- 
ble Society  of  Masons  residing  in  the  town  of  Oxford." 

Abel  Wheeler  is  named  in  the  charter  as  first  Master,  Levi  Candee  as 
Senior  Warden  and  William  Monis  as  Junior  Warden. 

In  1832,  so  much  had  the  principles  of  the  order  been  misrepresented 
that  the  following  declaration  was  prepared  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  signed  by 
members  of  the  order  generally  throughout  the  State,  and  published,  not  only 
in  the  Masonic  proceedings,  but  in  the  newspapers  of  the  day,  and  helped  to 
a  great  extent  to  allay  the  prejudices  against  the  order.  Appended  is  the 
declaration  and  the  names  of  signers  who  lived  in  this  vicinity. 


Whereas,  charges  have  heea  made  against  the  Institution  of  Freemasonry,  accusing  the 
whole  Fraternity jwith  having  adopted  and  cherished  principles  dangerous  to  the  community  and  re- 
pugnaut  to  morality  and  religion;  and  from  the  silence  of  the  memhers  of  our  Institution  concerning 
these  accusations,  many  persons  have  supposed  or  may  suppose  that  we  admit  the  truth  of  these 
charges,  or  that  we  cannot  conscientiously  deny  them: 

We,  the  oflicers  and  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Slate  of  Conneclic^U,  and  of  the 
subordinate  Lodges  under  its  jurisdiction,  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  justice  to  ourselves  and 
a  decent  regard  for  the  opinions  of  our  fellow-citizens,  demand  from  us  a  public  avowal  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Order,  and  of  the  nature  and  tendency  of  the  Institution.  A  declaration  on  this  subject, 
dated  December  31st,  1831,  having  been  made  and  published  by  our  brethren  of  the  Masonic  Frater- 
nity in  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  to  which  we  fully  assent,  as  it  is  strictly  true  in  all  respects,  we 
have  adopted  the  same,  and  now  beg  leave  to  present  it  to  the  public. 

Whereas,  it  has  been  frequently  asserted  and  published  to  the  world,  that  in  the  several  de- 
grees of  FREEMASONRY,  as  they  are  conferred  in  the  United  States,  the  candidate,  on  Lis  initia- 
tion and  subsequent  advancement,  binds  himself  by  oath,  to  sustain  his  Masonic  brethren  in  acts 
which  are  at  variance  with  the  fundamental  principles  of  morality,  and  incompatible  with  his  duty  as 
a  good  and  faithful  citizen.  Injustice,  therefore,  to  themselves,  and  with  a  view  to  establish  truth 
and  expose  imposition,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity,  and  many  of  us  the 
recipients  of  every  degree  of  Freemasonry  known  and  acknowledged  in  this  country,  do  most  sol- 
emnly DENY  the  existence  of  any  such  obligation  in  the  MASONIC  INSTITUTION,  as  far  as  our 


131 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICimTY. 


knowledge  respectively  extends.  And  we  do  also  solemnly  aver,  that  no  person  is  admitted  to  tbe 
Institution,  without  first  being  made  acquainted  with  the  nature  of  the  obligations  which  he  will  be 
required  to  incur  and  assume. 

Freemasonry  secures  its  members  in  the  freedom  of  thought  and  of  speech,  and  permits  each 
and  every  one  to  act  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  conscience  in  matters  of  religion,  and  of 
his  personal  preferences  in  matters  of  politics.  It  neither  knows,  nor  does  it  assume  to  inflict  upon 
its  erring  members,  however  wide  may  be  their  aberations  from  duty,  any  penalties  or  punishments 
other  than  AdinonUlon,  Suspension  and  Exjndsion. 

The  obligations  of  the  Institution  require  of  its  members  a  strict  obedience  to  the  laws  of  God 
and  man.  So  far  from  being  bound  by  any  engagements  inconsistent  with  the  happiness  and  pros- 
perity of  the  nation,  every  citizen,  who  becomes  a  Mason,  is  doubly  bound  to  be  true  to  his  God,  his 
country,  and  his  fellow-men.  In  the  language  of  the  "'Ancient  Constitutions"  of  the  Order,  which 
are  printed  and  open  for  public  mspection,  am!  which  are  used  as  text-books  in  all  our  Lodges,  he  is 
"required  to  keep  and  obey  the  moral  law,  to  be  a  quiet  and  peaceable  citizen,  true  to  his  govern- 
ment and  just  to  his  country."  ^|| 

Masonry  disdains  the  making  of  prosejjfrs.  She  opens  the  portals  of  her  asylum  to  those  only 
who  seek  admission,  with  the  recommendation  of  a  character  unspotted  by  immorality  and  vice.  She 
simply  requires  of  the  candidate  his  assent  to  one  great  fundamental  religious  truth, — the  existence 
AND  Providence  op  GOD,  and  a  practical  acknowledgement  of  those  infallible  doctrines  for  the 
government  of  life,  which  are  written  by  the  finger  of  God  on  the  heart  ©f  man. 

Entertaining  such  sentiments,  as  Masons,  as  Citizens,  as  Christians,  and  as  moral  men,  and 
deeply  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  the  Masonic  Institution  has  been,  and  may  continue  to 
be,  productive  of  great  good  to  their  fellow-men;  and  having  "received  the  laws  of  the  Society,  and 
its  accumulated  funds,  in  sacred  trust  for  charitable  purposes,"  the  undersigned  can  neither  renounce 
nor  abandon  it. 

We  most  cordially  unite  with  our  brethren  of  Massachusetts,  in  the  declaration  and  hope, 
that,  "should  the  people  of  this  country  become  so  infatuated  as  to  deprive  Masons  of  their  civil 
rights,  in  violation  of  the  written  constitutions  and  the  wholsome  spirit  of  just  laws  and  free  govern- 
ment, a  vast  majority  of  the  Fraternity  will  still  remain  firm,  confiding  in  God  and  the  rectitude  of 
their  intentions  for  consolation  under  the  trials  to  which  they  may  be  exposed." 


Newel  Johnson, 
John  L.  Daniels, 
Ebenezer  Fisher, 
John  S.  Moshier, 
Josiah  Nettleton, 
Henry  Leforge, 
Davitl  Sanfonl, 
Hiram  Upson, 
Daniel  Hitchcock, 
Leraan  Chat  field, 
Sheldon  Canfield, 
Henry  Wooster, 
Oliver  H.  Stoddard, 
J.  H.  De  Forest, 
Chester  Jones, 
Isaac  White, 
Henry  C.  Atwood, 
Seth  Crosby, 
Thomas  Buxton, 
Henry  Buxton, 
Garry  Kiggs, 
Henry  A.  McGary, 


Lyman  Riggs, 
Gad  Hitchcock, 
Smith  Clark, 
John  Smith, 
Sidney  R.  Wildman, 
Charles  Ransom, 
Chauucey  Haines, 
Daniel  Hyatt, 
Samuel  Riggs, 
Chauncey  M.  Hatch, 
John  M.  Hart, 
David  M.  Clark, 
Samuel  Wire, 
Minot  Barnes, 
Edward  Booty, 
Levi  Candee, 
Thomas  A.  Dutton, 
Samuel  Meigs, 
James  W.  llurd, 
Daniel  Smith, 
Joseph  (.'lark. 


Seth  Green, 
Sheldon  Beebe, 
George  Gunn, 
Jacob  Rockwell, 
Thomas  M.  Hedden, 
David  Candee, 
David  McEwen, 
Noah  Stone, 
Nathan  B.  Fairchild, 
Isaiah  Candee, 
Willis  Smith, 
Harry  Osborn, 
Ethel  Blackman, 
John  Storrs, 
Roswell  Cable, 
Nathan  J.  Wilcoxon, 
William  Morris, 
Jesse  Joy, 
Alfred  Harger, 
Philo  Wooster, 
Ashbel  Baldwin, 
George  B.  Piatt. 


Charles  Morgan, 

The  Lodge  met  in  Masonic  Hall,  Oxford,  until  1844,  when  owing  to 
decreased  numbers  from  removals  and  other  causes,  the  sessions  were  sus- 
pended.    It  was  re-organized  May  14th,  1851,  with  George  B,  Glendining  as 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 


133 


Master,  David  J.  McEwen  Senior  Warden,  and  Alfred  French  Junior 
Warden,  and  removed  to  Seymour.  E.  G.  Storer  was  then  Grand  Secre- 
tary. Since  this  time  the  lodge  has  prospered  and  its  total  membership, 
from  the  date  of  the  charter  until  now,  has  been  about  three  hundred  and 


seventy-five. 

MASTERS  OF 

THF,  LODGE. 

1804 

,  Abel  Wheeler. 

1838 

William  Hinman. 

1805 

,  Abel  Wheeler. 

1839 

John  M.  Hart. 

1806 

Abel  Wheeler. 

1840 

David  M.  Clark. 

1807 

Levi  Candee. 

1841 

Garry  Riggs. 

1808 

Abel  Wheeler. 

1842 

John  M.  Hart. 

1809 

William  Morris. 

1843 

Charles  Ransom. 

1810 

David  J.  McEwen. 

1851 

George  B.  Glendining 

1811 

William  Morris, 

1852 

David  J.  McEwen. 

1812 

Chauncey  M.  Hatch. 

1853 

Harris  B.  Munson. 

1813 

Levi  Candee. 

1854 

Joseph  Chipman. 

1814 

David  J.  McEwen. 

1855 

Joseph  Chipman. 

1815 

Levi  Candee. 

1856 

Stephen  D.  Russell. 

1816 

David  J.  McEwen. 

1857 

Ashbel  Stons. 

1817 

Chauncey  M.  Hatch. 

1858 

Stephen  D.  Russell. 

1818 

David  J.  McEwen. 

1859 

Elihu  D.  Foote. 

1819 

Men-it  Bradley. 

1860 

Israel  French. 

1820 

Merrit  Bradley. 

1861 

Philo  Buckingham. 

1821 

Men-it  Bradley. 

1862, 

George  W.  Divine. 

1822 

Samuel  Wire. 

1863, 

Ashbel  Storrs. 

1823 

Chauncey  M.  Hatch. 

1864 

Samuel  P.  Davis. 

1824 

David  M.  Clark. 

1865, 

Samuel  P.  Davis. 

1825 

Cyrus  Humphreys. 

1866, 

Samuel  P.  Davis. 

1826 

Jesse  Joy. 

1867, 

Samuel  P.  Davis. 

1827 

Jesse  Joy. 

1868, 

Samuel  P.  Davis. 

1828 

John  M.  Hart. 

1869, 

Stephen  R.  Rider. 

1829 

John  M.  Hart. 

1870, 

Stephen  R.  Rider. 

1830 

Henry  C.  Atwood. 

1871, 

Stephen  R.  Rider. 

1831 

Henry  C.  Atwood. 

1872, 

Henry  A.  Rider. 

1832 

Henry  C.  Atwood. 

1873, 

William  S.  Cooper. 

1833 

John  M.  Hart. 

1874, 

William  S.  Cooper. 

1834 

John  M.  Hart. 

1875, 

William  K.  Holmes. 

1835 

John  M.  Hart. 

1876, 

William  K.  Holmes. 

1836 

David  M.  Clark. 

1877, 

William  K.  Holmes. 

1837 

David  M.  Clark. 

1878, 

William  Halligan. 

134 


SEYMOUE  A^D  VIOIXITY. 


MECHANICS'  LODGE,  No.  73,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Institued  May  27th,  1851. 

charter  iviejibers. 

Horace  A.  Radford,    Julius  Bassett,  John  Scott,  W.  W.  White, 

Martiu  Kelly,  John  Hilton,  Charles  Newton,  John  Davis, 

Daniel  J.  Putman,      H.  P.  Davis,  John  L.  Hartson,  J.  A.  Stevens, 

W.  J.  Merrick. 

Geo.  E.  Lester  and  Wm.  A.  Hughes  were  the  first  candidates  for  initiation. 


NOBLE  GRANDS. 


Julius  Bassett, 
Daniel  J.  Putman, 
Martin  Kelly, 
W.  J.  Merrick, 
John  A.  Hartson, 
Harpin  Davis, 
W.  W.  White, 
Wm.  A.  Hughes, 
George  E.  Lester, 
Henry  Bradley, 
John  Davis,  2nd, 


E.  W.  Scott, 
A.  G.  White, 
David  Tucker, 
H.  T.  Booth, 
Mitchell  Vincent, 
Charles  Newton, 
George  Upson, 
John  Hilton, 
H.  A.  Eadford, 
A.  J.  Beers. 
W.  E.  Hendryx, 


Peter  Ward, 
F.  H.  Beecher, 
W.  D.  Bissell, 
John  W.Woodruff, 
W.  S.  Cooper, 
John  Whiting, 
Sylvester  Smith, 
W.  D.  Dibble, 
Ed.  D.  Phelps, 
James  K.  Adams, 


Harvey  Eugg, 
E.  C.  Brown, 
J.  W.  Smith, 
Samuel  Butler, 
Eobert  Healy, 
S.  A.  Beach, 
James  E.  Buckley, 
Charles  Edwards, 
W.  H.  Williams, 
Charles  P.  White. 


SECRETARIES. 


W.  J.  Merrick,       H.  T.  Booth,  M.  K.  Tucker, 

H.  Davis,  George  E.  Lester,  James  K.  Adams, 

Wm.  A.  Hughes,  Mitchell  Vincent,  W.  S.  Cooper, 
Geo.  Leavenworth,  A.  G.  White,  Peter  Ward, 

James  Davis,  Frank  H.  Beecher,  J.  E.  Buckley, 


E.  C.  Brown, 
J.  W.  Smith, 
M.  H.  Pope, 
H.  S.  Halligan, 

F.  A.  Eugg. 


HUMPHREY  LODGE,  No.  26,  K.  or  P. 

Instituted  Feb.  8th,  1871. 


S.  H.  Canfield, 
W.  G.  Mitchell, 
George  Eogers, 
F.  M.  Lum, 


CHARTER  MEMBERS. 
C.  W.  James, 
W.  N.  Storrs, 
S.  C.  Tucker, 
Charles  French, 
M.  E.  Castle. 


F.  H.  Beecher, 
V.  H.  McEwen, 
George  Smith, 
D.  C.  Castle, 


WORTHY   CHANCELLORS. 

1871,  First  term,  Samuel  P.  Davis,       Second  term, 

1872,  "        "  W.  G.  Mitchell,  "         " 

1873,  "        "  William  N.  Storrs,  "         " 

1874,  "        "  William  H.  Williams,    "        " 

1875,  ''        "  William  H.  Williams,    "        " 

1876,  "        "  Frank  H.  Beecher,  "         " 

1877,  "       "  William  H.  Williams,    "        " 

1878,  "        "  William  H.  Williams,    "        " 


George  A.  Eogers, 
William  S.  Cooper, 
William  H.  Williams, 
Charles  Short, 
Virgil  H.  McEwen, 
Frank  H.  Beecher, 
William  H.  Williams, 
Joseph  H.  Smith. 


SEYMOUR  a:N^D  VICINITY.  135 

UPS0:N^  post,  No.  40,  g.  a.  r. 

ORaANIZED   IN   1873. 
Wm.  S.  Cooper,  post  commander;  Joseph  Ineson,  adj. 
Ee-organized  Feb.  16th,  1876. 

1876,  Horatio  S.  Chamberlain,  post  commander;  Woos- 
'ter  B.  McEwen,  adjutant. 

1877,  James  E.  Buckley,  post  commander;   Edward 
S.  Downs,  adjvitant. 

1878,  Henry  R.  Chamberlain,  post  commander;   James  E.  Buckley, 
adjutant. 


ERIEXDLY  SOXS  OE  ST.  PATRICK. 

This  society  is  composed  of  members  of  Irish  birth  and  their  descend- 
ants, without  reference  or  regard  to  religion  or  politics. 

The  society  was  organized  at  Strapp's  Hall,  ISTov.  2nd,  1872,  by  the  follow- 
ing-named persons  :  William  Hayes,  Dennis  O'Callaghan,  Matthias  Bunyan, 
Francis  McMorrow,  Charles  McCarthy,  Michael  Regan,  Patrick  Mahoney, 
Daniel  Mahoney,  William  Mahoney,  Jeremiah  Driscol,  John  Coleman,  John 
Bradley,  Timothy  O'Brien,  Peter  Sullivan,  Edward  Strapp,  William  Colbert. 

At  the  first  meeting  the  following  oflBcers  were  elected :  President, 
William  Hayes ;  vice-president,  Peter  Sullivan ;  secretary,  Matthias  Bunyan ; 
treasurer,  Dennis  O'Callaghan  ;  marshal,  Francis  McMorrow ;  standing  com- 
mittee, Edward  Strapp,  William  Colbert, William  Mahoney,  Charles  McCarthy. 

At  the  last  last  annual  meeting  held  May  4th,  1878,  the  following 
officers  were  elected  :  President,  Patrick  Sheehan ;  vice-president,  Jeremiah 
Driscoll ;  treasurer,  Dennis  O'Callaghan  ;  secretary,  William  O'Donnell ; 
marshal,  Patrick  Mahoney ;  standing  committee,  Daniel  McCarthy,  Charles 
McCarthy  Patrick  Mahoney,  Patrick  Crowley. 


SEYMOUR  BIBLE  SOCIETY. 

Joshua  Kendall,  president ;  Rev.  S.  C.  Leonard  and  Rev.  J.  Vinton, 
vice-presidents ;  T.  B.  Minor,  secretary ;  H.  A.  Radford,  treasurer ;  L.  A. 
Camp,  depository. 


I 


130 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 


ELECTORS  OF  SEYMOUR,  Koy.  5th,  1878. 


Emery  E.  Adams, 
James  K.  Adams, 
Daniel  Agnew, 
Eufus  Alcott, 
Jeremiah  Andrews, 
Denizen  D.  Andrews, 
Richard  Aspden, 
Morris  Atwood, 
Heman  R.  Atwater, 
Frank  P.  Aylesworth, 
Gustave  A.  Becker, 
Alonzo  Baklwin, 
Edwin  Baklwin, 
Edward  M.  Baldwin, 
William  J.  Barr, 
George  H.  Bartlett, 
Charles  H.  Bassett, 
Edward  F.  Bassett, 
Elliot  R.  Bassett, 
Frank  G.  Bassett, 
Isaac  Bassett, 
John  W.  Bassett, 
Noyes  E.  Bassett, 
Samuel  Bassett, 
Wilbur  Bassett, 
William  R.  Bates, 
Charles  Bay, 
Samuel  A.  Beach, 
Sharon  I).  Beach, 
Sharon  Y.  Beach, 
Burr  P.  Beecher, 
Frank  H.  Beecher, 
Frederick  Beecher, 
Henry  B.  Beecher, 
Philo  Beecher, 
Virgil  M.  Beecher, 
Abe!  J.  Beers, 
Charles  M.  l^eers, 
Herschel  G.  Beers, 
William  Bell, 
David  Betts, 
William  Blake, 
Winfield  Blake, 
George  Blakesley, 
Frederick  Boeker, 
Albert  Booth, 
John  Boweu, 


Lyman  Botsford, 
Lucius  Botsford, 
Smith  Botsford, 
Harvey  L.  Botsford, 
Edwin  Botsford, 
Charles  S.  Botsford, 
Henry  Botsford, 
Charles  Bradley, 
Edward  B.  Bradley, 
Henry  Bradley, 
John  H.  Bradley, 
Leonard  Bradley, 
Abraham  H.  Bristol, 
Nicholas  Brockway, 
Nicholas  Brockway,  Jr., 
Edward  C.  Brown, 
Valentin  Buchele, 
Edwin  Buckingham, 
Henry  Buckingham, 
Isaac  Buckingham, 
Virgil  Buckingham, 
Willis  Buckingham, 
James  E.  Buckley, 
Matthias  Bunyan, 
George  W.  Burroughs, 
Nathan  A.  Brushell, 
Samuel  Butler, 
Dennis  Cahill, 
Dennis  Callahan, 
Lewis  A.  Camp, 
Samuel  P.  Camp, 
DeForest  Canfield, 
Frank  E.  Canfield, 
Samuel  Canfield, 
Samuel  K.  Canfield, 
Carl  Carlson, 
Harvey  Carpenter, 
Heber  P.  Carpenter, 
Jay  Carpenter, 
Smith  T.  Carpenter, 
Nicholas  Cass, 
DeWitt  C,  Castle, 
John  H.  Castle, 
Martin  R.  Castle, 
Thomas  W.  Chadwick, 
Henry  R.  Chamberlain, 
Horatio  S.  Chamberlain, 


Hiram  Chatfield, 
Howard  Chatfield, 
Joel  Chatfield, 
Joel  R.  Chatfield, 
Heman  Childs, 
Charles  Church, 
Noyes  Church, 
John  Clancy, 
Albert  E.  Clark, 
Daniel  W.  Clark, 
Andrew  J.  Clearwater, 
William  H.  Cleary, 
Frederick  M.  demons, 
Lyman  A.  Clinton, 
Thomas  P.  Cochran, 
John  A.  Cochran, 
William  Colbert, 
James  Condon, 
James  Condon,  2nd, 
Patrick  Condon, 
William  Coney, 
Michael  Conroy, 
Owen  Conroy, 
David  R.  Cook, 
Timothy  Cooper, 
William  S.  Cooper, 
Frank  Couverette, 
Arvin  N.  Crittenden, 
Daniel  Crowley, 
Florence  Crowley, 
Patrick  Crowley, 
Timothy  Crowley, 
William  A.  Crowther, 
Dennis  Crummy, 
Stephen  H.  Culver, 
S.  Hart  Culver, 
Michael  Cunningham, 
Owen  Cunningham, 
John  T.  Curry, 
John  Daily, 
John  Davenport, 
Burr  S.  Davis, 
George  S.  Davis, 
Henry  P.  Davis, 
Isaac  H.  Davis, 
John  Davis, 
John  Davis,  2nd, 


SEYMOUR  AND  YICmiTY. 


137 


Leonard  A.  Davis, 
Lewellyn  Davis, 
Marcus  Davis, 
Samuel  P.  Davis, 
Zerah  B.  Davis, 
Edmund  Day, 
Henry  P.  Day,  ■ 
Austin  G.  Day, 
Theodore  L.  Decker, 
Jolm  W,  DeForest, 
Samuel  R.  Dean, 
Alva  G.  DeWolf, 
William  W.  Dibble, 
George  A.  Divine, 
George  W.  Divine, 
George  P.  Doolittle, 
Oliver  Doolittle, 
James  Donahue, 
Walter  W^.  Dorman, 
Henry  Downs, 
Isaac  Downs, 
William  A.  Downs, 
Jeremiah  Driscol, 
Albert  B.  Dunham, 
Henry  A.  Dunham, 
Daniel  T.  Dunham, 
Joseph  E.  Dupee, 
Jeremiah  Durand, 
Charles  Edwards, 
George  S.  Edwards, 
Horatio  IST.  Egglestou, 
Adolph  F.  Eibel, 
Frederick  Emery, 
Richard  J.  W.  Emery, 
David  Evans,  Jr., 
Jacob  Faber, 
Ebenezer  Fairchild, 
Ira  G.  Farrell, 
Patrick  Fitzgibbous, 
Michael  Fogarty, 
Frank  J.  Ford, 
John  B.  Ford, 
Lyman  H.  Ford, 
Philo  James  Ford, 
Samuel  C.  Ford, 

m    John  T.  Forsey, 

r     George  Fowler, 
Thaddeus  Fowler, 
Raymond  French, 
Carlos  French, 
Adonijah  French, 
Charles  H.  French, 
Hiram  French, 


John  W.  French, 
Warren  French, 
Dwight  Garrett, 
George  B.  Garrett, 
Lewis  Garrett, 
Frank  C.  Gerard, 
David  Geary, 
Eli  Gillett, 
Lucius  Gillett, 
Thomas  F.  Gilyard, 
W^illiam  F.  Gilyard, 
Stephen  B.  Gregory, 
Charles  H.  Guild, 
Joseph  Hagan, 
Albion  A.  Hall, 
William  P.  Hall, 
Harvey  S.  Halligan, 
William  Halligan, 
Alfred  E.  Hanchett, 
Charles  Hanchett, 
Charles  F.  Hard, 
Cornelius  Hard, 
Frederick  Harris, 
Charles  Hawkins, 
Joseph  Hawkins, 
.  Samuel  Hawkins, 
W^illiam  Hayes, 
Robert  Healey, 
W^ilson  E.  Hendryx, 
Samuel  Hickox, 
David  R.  Hill, 
George  H.  Hill, 
Charles  X.  Hinman, 
Joseph  Hitchcock, 
Edward  L.  Hoadley, 
Andrew  Holbrook, 
Charles  F.  Holbrook, 
Horace  Holbrook, 
Xathan  Holbrook, 
Philo  Holbrook, 
Thomas  C.  Holbrook, 
William  Holbrook, 
Willis  R.  Holbrook, 
John  Hollo  way, 
William  K.  Holmes, 
George  H.  Homan, 
George  W.  iloman, 
Charles  D.Houghtaling, 
Wm.  jST.  Houghtaling, 
Burton  C.  Hotchkiss, 
Harvey  Hotchkiss, 
Burr  A.  Howard, 
James  Howard, 


Sidney  A.  Hubbell, 
William  Howes, 
DeWitt  C.  Hull, 
John  C.  Hull, 
Charles  R.  Hurlburt, 
Thomas  E.  Hurlburt, 
Charles  L.  Hyde, 
Henry  J.  lies, 
Jerred  lies, 
Joseph  Ineson, 
Cornelius  W.  James, 
Thomas  L.  James, 
George  A.  James, 
David  Johns, 
Thomas  Johns, 
David  Johnson, 
John  R.  Johnson, 
Sheldon  C.  Johnson, 
Thomas  James, 
William  B,  Johnson, 
William  C.  Johnson, 
John  Kelleher, 
Charles  D.  Kelsey, 
F.  Xavier  Kempf, 
Joshua  Kendall, 
Roswell  X.  Kinney, 
Walter  S.  Kenney, 
Henry  Kershaw, 
John  King, 

Frederick  Kokenwrath, 
Theodore  S.  Ladd, 
Martin  Laughlin, 
George  Leavenworth, 
Geo.  B.  Leavenworth, 
William  Leahy, 
George  E.  Lester, 
Stephen  C.  Leonard, 
Evans  Llewellyn, 
Evans  A.  Llewellyn, 
Edmond  Libby, 
Washington  I.  Lines, 
Albert  A.  Lockwood, 
Charles  H.  Lockwood, 
Henry  B.  Lockwood, 
Isaac  Losee,  *  . 

Isaac  Losee,  Jr., 
William  Losee, 
Frederick  G.  Losee, 
Albert  W.  Lounsbury, 
John  Lounsbury, 
Ernest  Luedus, 
James  Lyon, 
John  Lyon, 


138 


SEYMOUE  AXD  VICi:5^ITY. 


Patrick  Mahoney, 
Eli  Mallory, 
Charles  Manweiller, 
Henry  Manweiller, 
John  E.  Matthews, 
Kobert  A.  Matthews, 
Eobert  McKay, 
George  C.  Munger, 
John  McLane, 
Charles  McCarty, 
Daniel  McCarty, 
John  McCarty, 
Hugh  McCormick, 
Virgil  H.  McEwen, 
Michael  McNurney, 
John  T.  Miles, 
Sheldon  Miles, 
John  H.  Miller, 
Thomas  B.  Minor, 
How^ard  F.  Moshier, 
William  Molan, 
James  Morris, 
John  E.  Morris, 
William  Morris, 
Harris  B.  Munson, 
Harris  B.  Munson,  Jr. 
Dennis  H.  Munson, 
Michael  ISTagle, 
Julius  H,  Newton, 
Michael  jSTey, 
William  B.  ]S"ichols, 
Henry  D.  Northrop, 
John  O'Brien, 
William  O'Donnel, 
Frederick  O'Meara, 
Josiah  A.  O'Meara, 
Charles  J.  Osborn, 
Noah  A.  Osborn, 
John  Owens, 
John  F.  Parker, 
Briggs  M.  Parmelee, 
Ira  A.  Parmelee, 
Ira  B.  Parmelee, 
Wallace  A.  Parmelee, 
John  J.  Peck, 
Frederick  C.  Peck, 
Edward  G.  Peck, 
Jesse  D.  Perkins, 
Henry  Perthes, 
Charles  H.  Pickett, 
Christian  Pickhart, 
Ei chard  Pierson, 
Matthew  H.  Pope, 


Frederick  Popp, 
Jabez  E.  Pritchard, 
Frederick  W.  Pulford, 
Horace  A.  Eadford, 
Edward  H.  Eandall, 
Hiram  W.  Eandall, 
Samuel  H.  Eankin, 
Joseph  Eeigel, 
Charles  E.  Eeynolds, 
William  B,  Eeynolds, 
Henry  A.  Eider, 
Harpin  Eiggs, 
John  H.  Eiggs, 
William  J.  Eoberts, 
George  F.  Eobinson, 
Harvey  N.  Eogers, 
Isaac  Eogers, 
John  W.  Eogers, 
Isaac  Eood, 
Henry  Eose, 
Samuel  Eoselle, 
Frederick  A.  Eugg, 
Harvey  Eugg, 
Frank  H.  Eussell, 
Stephen  D.  Eussell. 
Patrick  Eyan, 
Thomas  liyan, 
Thomas  Eyan,  2nd, 
William  Eyan, 
James  Samuels, 
Sheldon  Sanford, 
Henry  C.  Schneider, 
John  Schotield, 
David  Scranton, 
Thomas  Sliarpe, 
William  C.  Sharpe, 
John  Shay, 
Michael  Shay, 
Patrick  Sheehan, 
Terrence  Sheridan, 
William  B.  Sherman, 
Charles  J.  Short, 
George  A.  Simpson, 
Burton  W.  Smith, 
Charles  Smith, 
Edwin  Smith, 
George  Smith, 
George  A.  Smith, 
George  H.  Smith, 
George  W.  Smith, 
James  M.  Smith, 
John  W.  Smith, 
Joseph  II.  Smith, 


Matthew  Smith, 
Eobert  N.  Smith, 
Samuel  E.  Smith, 
Theodore  L.  Smith, 
Traver  Smith, 
Wilbur  W.  Smith, 
William  Smith, 
William  C.  Smith, 
Abel  V.  Somers, 
Charles  Spencer, 
Charles  E.  Spencer, 
James  S.  Spencer, 
Willard  James  Spencer, 
George  C.  Sperry, 
Marcus  Sperry, 
Norman  Sperry, 
John  Spiers, 
Henry  Spoonheimer, 
Henry  J.  Spoonheimer, 
John  Spoonheimer, 
Timothy  Squires, 
Frank  E.  Steele, 
Jeremiah  Stever, 
Thomas  Stoddard, 
Arthur  L.  Storrs, 
Ashbel  Storrs, 
Charles  W.  Storrs, 
William  N.  Storrs, 
Henry  W.  Stratton, 
Ira  A.  Stuart, 
Levi  B.  Stuart, 
John  Sullivan, 
Peter  Sullivan, 
James  Swan, 
William  B.  Swan, 
Daniel  S.  Swan, 
Smith  Terrell, 
Theodore  S.  Terrell, 
Benjamin  B.  Thayer, 
Gotlib  Theurer, 
Daniel  B.  Tolles, 
Edwin  Tomlinson, 
James  W.  Tomlinson, 
William  E.  Tomlinson, 
William  E.  Treat, 
Charles  C.  Trumpbour, 
David  Tucker, 
Medad  K.  Tucker, 
Sheldon  C.  Tucker, 
Cornelius  Turk, 
Thomas  Urel, 
James  H.  Van  Buren, 
Joseph  Vinton, 


SEYMOUE  AKD  VICINITY. 


139 


Peter  Ward, 
Egbert  R.  Warner, 
Charles  F.  Warren, 
Wilford  I.  Warren, 
George  H.  Washband, 
Charles  H.  Weaver, 
Lazarus  G.  Weaver, 
Charles  Weidlich, 
William  J.  Welch, 
Charles  S.  Weller, 


Andrew  W.  Weston, 
Frederick  Weston, 
Wilson  Weston, 
Henrv  Wheeler, 
Charles  P.  White, 
George  B.  White, 
Nathan  F.  White, 
Joseph  Whitely, 
Joseph  J.  Wilcoxson, 
Frank  G.  Williams, 
Total,  489. 


Leroy  Williamson, 
Bennett  Wooster, 
Charles  A.  Wooster, 
Nathan  E..  Wooster, 
Eugene  A.  Wyant, 
Frank  H.  Wyant, 
Henry  L.  Wyant, 
Leonard  Wyant, 
Wilson  Wyant, 
Samuel  L.  Bassett. 


BUSINESS  DIRECTORY. 

MERCHANTS. 
Atwood  &  Betts,  dealers  in  Clothing,  Books  and  Stationery,  No.  3  Davis' 
Block. 

E.  F.  Bassett,  dealer  in  Furniture  and  House  Furnishing  (loods,   and 

General  Furnishing  Undertaker,  Maple  street,  near  First. 
S.  Y.  Beach,  dealer  in  Coal  and  Lumber,  corner  of  Main  and  Maple  streets. 
Burr  P.  Beecher,  dealer  in  Groceries  and  Provisions,  Main  street. 
Henry  Bradley,  dealer  in  Millinery  and  Fancy  Goods,  Hull's  Building. 
S.  W.  Buckingham,  dealer  in  Beef,  Pork,  Poultry,  &c.,  No.  4  Davis'  Block. 
John  A.  Cochran,  Agt.,  dealer  in  Groceries  and  Provisions,  corner  of  Hill 

and  Pearl  streets. 
Henry  A.  Dunham,  dealer  in  Groceries  and  Provisions,  Main  street,  near 

depot. 
Geo.  S.  Edwards,  dealer  in  Stoves,  Tinware,  Crockery,  Hardware,  Cutlery, 

&c.,  corner  of  Maple  and  Second  streets. 
James  Howard,  dealer  in  Meat,  &c,,  Main  street,  below  Hill  street. 
McEwEN  &  Camp,  dealers  in  Dry  Goods,  Groceries,  School  Books,  &c.. 

Maple  street,  near  First. 
J,  N.  PoPP,  Merchant  Tailor,  Third  street. 
M.  M.  Randall,  dealer  in  Dry  Goods  and  Groceries,  corner  of  Main  and 

Broad  streets. 
Jas.  L.  Spencer,  dealer  in  Beef,  Pork,  Lard,  &c.,  Main  st.,  south  of  depot. 
C.  W.  Storrs,  dealer  in  Dry  Goods,  Hardware,  Newspapers,  Magazines, 

&c.,  James'  Building,  next  door  to  post-office. 
David  Tucker,  dealer  in  Flour,  Grain,  Feed  and  Fertilizers,  corner  of  Main 

and  Broad  streets. 
Wooster,   Dean  &  Buckingham,  dealers  in  Dry  Goods,   Hardware, 

Lumber,  Coal,  etc..  Brick  Store,  opposite  the  depot. 

PHYSICIANS. 

*Membees  of  the  Connecticut  Medical  Society. 
S.  C.  Johnson,*  house  comer  of  Church  and  West  streets. 
Joshua  Kendall,*  house  corner  of  Church  and  West  streets. 

F.  W.  PuLFORD,  Homeopathic,  house  on  Pearl  street. 
Thomas  Stoddard,*  house  comer  of  Main  and  Pearl  streets. 
Egbert  R.  Warner,  house  corner  of  Maple  and  Second  streets. 

DRUGGISTS  AND  APOTHECARIES. 
S.  H.  Canfield,  James'  Building,  Main  street. 
George  Smith,  No.  1  Davis  Block. 


140  SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 

HOTELS. 
WoosTER  House,  A.  B.  Dunham,  Proprietor,  corner  of  Second  and  Ray- 
mond streets. 
Seymour  House,  Peck  &  Riggs,  Proprietors,  Broad  street. 
Hujviphrey  House,  J.  W.  Mereditli,  Proprietor,  First  street. 

LIVERY  AND  FEED  STABLES. 
A.  B.  Dunham,  corner  of  Second  and  Raymond  streets. 
John  Hollow  ay.  Broad  street,  east  of  Congregational  church. 
H.  A.  Rider,  Main  street,  near  foot  of  Hill  street. 
John  Spiers,  Derby  Avenue,  south  of  Congregational  church. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

F.  P.  Aylesworth,  Plain  and  Ornamental  Hair-work,  Church  street. 
Wilbur  Bassett,  Painter,  Hill  street,  south  of  Pearl  street. 

Mrs.  Wilbur  Bassett,  Dressmaker,  Hill  street,  south  of  Pearl  street. 

N.  A.  Brushell,  Barber  and  Hair-dresser,  Main  street,  near  post-office. 

Smith  T.  Carpenter,  General  Carting,  Pearl  street. 

Mrs.  G.  W.  Divine,  Dressmaker,  house  Maple  street. 

E.  Fairchild,  Carriage  Making  and  Repairing,  Maple  street. 

Mrs.  George  Fowler,  Dressmaker,  residence  on  First  avenue. 

Philip  Heilman,  Boot  and  Shoemaker,  No.  2  Davis'  Block,  room  4. 

W.  I.  Lines,  Painter,  Chestnut  street. 

Isaac  Losee,  Boot  and  Shoemaker,  No.  1  French's  Building. 

Michael  McNurney,  Blacksmithing  and  Repairing,  Maple  street,  near 

covered  bridge. 
Sheldon  Miles,  manufacturer  of  Clock  Cord,  Banding,  Fish  Lines,  &c. 
John  H.  Miller,  Shoemaker  and  dealer  in  Confectionery,  Broad  street. 
William  Morris,  Harnessmaker,  corner  of  Maple  and  First  streets. 
H.  B.  MUNSON,  Attorney  at  Law,  office  James'  Building. 
Henry  Schneider,  Barber  and  Hair-dresser,  No.  5  Davis'  Block. 

A.  H.  SCRANTON,  Newsdealer,  No.  3  French's  Building. 

Thomas  Sharpe,  Carpenter  and  Builder,  corner  of  Hill  street  and  Washing- 
ton Avenue. 
W.  C.  Sharpe,  Printer  and  Publisher,  No.  2  Davis'  Block,  second  floor. 

B.  W.  Smith,  Insurance  Agent  and  Notary  Public,  corner  of  Derby  Avenue 

and  Grove  streets. 
James  Smith,  Machinery  and  Repairing,  Factory  street,  foot  of  Raymond  st. 
General  Blacksmithing  in  shop  attached  to  Machine  Works. 

G.  C.  Sperry,  Painter,  house  Mill  street. 

ASHBEL  Storrs,  Carpenter  and  Builder,  house  North  street. 

L.  B.  Stuart,  Jeweler,  No.  3  French's  Building. 

B.  B.  Thayer,  Truckman,  residence  Derby  avenue. 

W.  H.  Williams,  Attorney  at  Law,  office  James'  Building. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY. 


141 


WOKKS  OF 


j-^nycES    s^w^^nsr. 


SUCCESSOR   TO 


THE  DOUGLASS  MANUFACTlIPiING  COMPANY, 


(ESTABLISnKD  IN   1856), 


MANUFACTUKKK   OF 


AUGERS,  AUGER  BITS,  GIMLETS,  HOLLOW  AUGERS, 

EXPANDING  BITS,  PATENT  AUGER  HANDLES,  BORING 

MACHINES,  CHISELS,  GOUGES,  DRAWING 

KNIVES,   SCREW-DRIVERS, 

REAMERS,   ETC. 


H.  B.  BEECHEE, 

Successor  to  FRENCH,  SWIFT  &  CO., 

(ESTABMSIIKP   IX   1847), 

MANUFACTURER    OF 

AUGERS,   AUGER    BITS,    HOLLOW    AUGERS,   &G. 


HUMPH  RE  YSYILLE  MAXUEAOTURINa  CO. 


MANUFACTURERS   OF 


AUGERS,   AUGER    BITS,    &c. 
George  H.  Robinson,  Norman  Sperry, 

David  R.  Cook,  Marcus  Sperry. 


142  SEYMOTJE  AXD  VI0I:N^ITY. 

THE  NEW  HAyE:N^  COPPER  COMPANY. 

Thomas  James,  President. 

Feanklin  Farrell,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

Directors :  Thomas  James,  Franklin  Farrell,  E.  C.  Lewis,  Thomas  L.  James 

and  Alton  Farrell. 


THE  EOWLER  NAIL  COMPANY, 

Carlos  French,  President.  Lewis  H.  Bristol,  Secretary. 

MANUFACTURERS  OP 

VULCAN     HORSE-SHOE     NAILS. 


UNITED  STATES  PIN  COMPANY. 

Henry  L.  Hotchkiss,  President.  Lewis  H.  Bristol,  Secretary. 

Carlos  French,  Treasurer. 


H.    P.    &    E.    DAY, 

MANUFACTURERS   OP 

EUBBER    PEN-HOLDERS,    PROPELLING    PENCILS, 
SURGICAL    APPLIANCES,   i&c. 


S.     Y.     BEACH, 

MANUFACTURER   OF 

PRINTING    AND    COLORED    PAPERS. 


CARLOS    FRENCH, 

MANUFACTURER   OP 


W.     W.     SMITH, 

MANUFACTURER   OF 


RAYMOND    FRENCH, 

MANUFACTURER  OF 

PLAIN    AND    STEEL    PLATED    OX    SHOES. 


SEYMOUR  AND  VICINITY.  143 

AUSTIN    a    DAY, 

MANUFACTURER   OF 

SUBMAEINE    TELEGRAPH    CABLE. 


GARRET     &    BEACH, 

MANUFACTURES   OF 

GERMAN  GIMLET  BITS,   CAST   STEEL  REAMERS  AND 

SCREW  DRIVER  BITS. 

Lewis  L.  Garrett.  Samitel  A.  Beach. 


THE     SEYMOUR    RECORD, 

Published  every  Thursday  morning  at 

THE   SEYMOUR  PRINTING  OFFICE, 

No.  2  Davis'  Block.  W.  C.  Sharpe,  Editor  and  Publisher. 


INOIDEI^^TS  OF  THE  REYOLUTIOX. 


When  the  war  of  the  Revolution  broke  out,  tlie  Churchmen  of  Water- 
bur}',  of  Connecticut,  of  New  Englanil  were  seen  ranged  upon  the  side  of 
the  parent  country,  and  against  the  rebel  colonists.  They  were  royalists,  or 
tories.  They  had  reasons  satisfactory  to  themselves  for  their  opinions  and 
conduct.  They  wished  the  success  of  the  British  government  because  on  that 
success  depended  their  hopes  of  Avorldly  distinction  and  religious  privilege. 
On  that  they  supposed  that  they  must  rely  for  the  permanent  ascendancy  of 
the  Episcopal  Church  in  America — its  doctiines,  its  faith,  and  its  worship. 
To  England  they  were  bound  by  the  strongest  ties.  From  that  country  their 
parish  clergymen  had  fi*om  the  first  received  a  great  part  of  their  support. 
They  owed  it  a  debt  of  gratitude,  which  if  they  could  not  repay,  they  were 
unwilling  to  forget.  They  had  always  been  the  weaker  party,  had  been  ridi- 
iculed  in  their  weakness,  and  sometimes  voted  out  of  their  just  rights.  Their 
feelings  had  not  been  conciliated,  and  they  had  come  to  hate  the  whigs  heart- 
ily. They  now  hoped  that  their  wrongs  would  be  redressed.  The  Episcopal 
clergy  of  Connecticut  and  of  New  England  took  the  lead  in  opposition  to  the 
war.  They  kept  up  a  correspondence  with  the  Society  [for  Propagating  the 
Gospel]  at  home,  of  which  they  were  beneficiaries,  in  which  they  expressed 
their  views  freely  of  the  merits  of  the  controversy,  and  gave  information  of 
the  state  of  the  country.  The  loyalty  of  their  own  church  was  a  subject  for 
frequent  comment  and  congratulation.  Dr.  Richard  Mansfield,  of  Derby, 
wrote  in  December,  1775,  that  he  had  preached  and  taught  quiet  subjection 
to  the  king  and  parent  state,  and  that  he  was  well  assured  that  the  clergy 
iu  general  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut  had  done  the  same.  Of  the  one 
hundred  and  thirty  families  under  his  charge,  one  hundred  and  ten,  he  con- 
tinued, are  firm  and  steadfast  friends  to  government,  and  detest  and  abhor 
the  present  unnatural  rebellion,  and  all  those  measures  which  led  to  it.  Fur- 
ther on,  he  remarked  "  that  the  worthy  Mr.  Scovill  [of  Waterbury],  and  the 
venerable  ]\Ir.  Beach  [of  Newtown]  have  had  still  better  success,  scarcely  a 
single  person  being  found  of  their  congregations  but  what  hath  persevered 
steadfastly  in  bis  duty  and  loyalty." — [History  of  Waterbury. 

Among  those  who  sympathized  with  and  gave  aid  to  the  British  forces  were 
Henry  Wooster,  who  lived  about  a  mile  below  the  Falls,  a  brother  of  John 


146  HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUE. 

and  Thomas  Wooster  avIio  lived  in  wliat  is  now  Oxford,  and  David  Woos- 
ter,  Jun,,  who  lived  in  Gunntown,  in  what  is  now  Naugatuck,  near  his  father, 
David  Wooster,  Sen.  Upon  the  bluff  east  of  the  Naugatuck,  and  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  below  the  Falls,  stood,  in  1780,  a  tavern  kept  by  Turel 
Whittemore — in  fiict  it  is  still  standing  in  the  house  now  occupied  b}'  Martin 
Castle,  having  been  raised  a  story  and  enlarged.  One  Saturday  evening  in 
March,  1780,  there  were  gathered  in  the  little  barroom,  Henry  Wooster,  Jun., 
his  cousin  David  Wooster,  Jun.,  from  Gunntown  ;  Samuel  Doolittle,  living 
not  far  distant  but  within  the  limits  of  New  Haven,  and  others  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. Alexander  Graham,  having  a  commission  from  the  British  General 
Howe,  made  his  appearance  and  sought  to  raise  a  party  among  the  tories  pres- 
ent, for  an  expedition  to  Bethany  to  rob  the  house  of  Capt.  Ebenezer  Dayton, 
previously  a  merchant  of  Brookhaven,  L.  I.,  who  had  brought  his  family  and 
goods  from  Long  Island  for  safety.  With  him  had  come  other  patriots  and 
left  their  valuables  in  the  house  taken  by  him,  so  that  the  tory  conspirators 
expected  to  secure  valuable  booty  by  despoiling  this  refuge  of  the  whigs  dur- 
ing the  absence  of  its  defenders.  A  party  was  formed,  consisting  of  Alexan- 
der Graham,  David  Wooster,  Henry  Wooster,  Jun.,  Samuel  Doolittle,  and 
three  others.  The  next  Tuesday  evening  they  proceeded  to  Dayton's  house 
in  Bethany,  he  being  in  Boston.  About  midnight  they  burst  into  the  house, 
seized  and  bound  Mrs.  Dayton,  ransacked  the  house,  and  carried  off  about 
£150  in  gold  and  silver,  and  other  valuables,  after  destroying  much  property 
which  they  could  not  carry  away.  Hastening  towards  Naugatuck,  they  met 
a  young  man  named  Chauncey  Judd,  and,  lest  he  should  expose  them,  they 
compelled  him  to  go  with  them.  The  robbers  hid  several  days  in  the  house 
of  David  Wooster,  Sen.,  Gunntown.  From  there  they  went  to  the  house  of 
John  Wooster,  known  as  "Oapt.  John,"  who  kept  a  tavern  in  the  southern 
part  of  Oxford.  The  house  stood  just  back  of  where  the  house  of  David  C. 
Eiggs  now  stands,  and  was  pulled  down  but  a  few  years  since.  This  Capt. 
Wooster  was  a  great  hunter,  and  had  inclosed  several  hundred  acres  on  the 
hills  in  the  rear  of  his  house,  as  a  deer  park,  and  the  place  is  still  known  as 
"  The  Park."  After  being  warmed  and  fed,  they  went  to  a  barn  a  little  ways 
south  of  the  house  belonging  to  Daniel  Wooster,  where  they  remained  during 
the  night  and  the  next  day,  and  after  several  narrow  escapes,  made  their  way 
to  Derby,  and,  taking  a  boat,  rowed  down  the  river,  closely  pursued  by 
horsemen  on  the  shore.  They  an-ived  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  but  just 
ahead  of  their  pursuers,  and  escaped  across  the  sound  to  Brookhaven.  A 
pursuing  party  crossed  the  sound  at  night  and  captured  the  robbers,  except 
one  who  escaped  through  a  window  into  the  woods.  Chauncey  Judd  was 
released  and  the  stolen  goods  retaken.  Graham  was  found  to  be  a  deserter 
from  the  continental  army,  with  a  British  commission  in  his  pocket,  and  was 
sent  to  Morristown,  tried  by  court  martial,  condemned  and  executed.  The 
others  were  put  on  trial  in  the  Superior  Court  at  New  Haven,  with  Da- 
vul  Wooster,  Sen.,  Noah  Candee,  Daniel  Johnson,  William  Seeley,  Francis 


HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUR.  147 

Xoble,  and  Lemuel  Wooding,  Wliittemore's  barkeeper.  Two  of  the  accused, 
Scott  and  Cady,  were  allowed  to  turn  state's  evidence.  All  the  others  were 
found  guilty.  David  Wooster,  Henry  Wooster,  Jun.,  and  Samuel  Doolit- 
tle  w^ere  each  sentenced  to  a  fine  of  £50,  and  imprisonment  for  four  years  in 
the  Xewgate  state  prison.  Noah  Candee  and  David  Wooster,  Sen.,  were 
lined  each  £500  and  imprisoned  nine  months  in  Hartford  jail.  Daniel  John- 
son was  fined  £250  and  imprisoned  nine  months.  Francis  Noble  was  fined 
£50  and  imprisoned  one  year.  William  Seeley  was  fined  £25  and  impris- 
oned nine  montlis.  Lemuel  Wooding  was  fined  £25  and  imprisoned  six 
months.  In  addition,  Capt.  Dayton  recovered  heavy  damages  in  civil  suits 
against  the  difterent  parties,  amounting  to  several  thousand  pounds.  Mr. 
Judd  also  recovered  £800  from  the  robbers  and  their  accessories,  for  dam- 
ages to  his  son.  This  summary  punishment  was  as  discouraging  to  the 
tories  of  the  vicinity  as  it  was  encouraging  to  the  struggling  patriots. 


NAMES  OF  SOLDIEKS  IN  ADDITION  TO  PREVIOUS  LISTS. 

WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 

Dr.  Jesse  Baldwin,  surgeon. 

Abram  Bassett,  son  of  Abraham  Bassett. 

Joseph  Sanford. 

war  of  1812. 

David  Sanford,  son  of  Capt.  Raymond  Sanford. 
Capt.  Enos  Lum,  son  of  William  Lum,  of  Great  Hill. 

WAR  OF  the  rebellion. 

Charles  D.  Houghtalling,  enlisted  from  Greenfield,  Mass.,  first  in 
receiving  ship  Ohio,  and  transferred  to  gunboat  Azalea,  as  landsman.  Dis- 
charged at  navy  yard,  Philadelphia. 

Theodore  S.  Ladd,  Conipany  H,  15th  Connecticut  Volunteers.  Mus- 
tered in  from  Naugatuck,  July  25th,  18G2.  Discharged  on  account  of  disa- 
bility, August  10,  1803,  at  Hampton,  Va.  Re-enlisted  September  3,  1807, 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Julius  H.  Newton,  Company  H,  20th  Connecticut  Volunteers.  Mus- 
tered in  fi-om  Bethany,  August  15,  1802.  Mustered  out  June  13,  1805,  at 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Charles  H.  Pickett,  Company  II,  15th  Connecticut  Volunteers.  Mus- 
tered in  from  Naugatuck,  August  5th,  1802.  Mustered  out  June  27tli,  18G5, 
at  ISTewburn,  N.  C. 

Carl  Carlson,  Company  A,  3rd  Vermont  Volunteers,  enrolled  August 
23rd,  1804.     Discharged  July  11th,  1805,  at  Hall's  Hill,  Va. 


NOTES  FROM  THE  SCHOOL  RECORDS. 


GREAT  HILL  DISTRICT,  No.  1. 

The  following  particulars  are  from  a  book  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Sam- 
uel P.  Davis  of  Great  Hill,  consisting  of  the  records  of  the  8th  District  of 
the  town  of  Derby,  afterward  the  first  district  of  the  town  of  Seymour,  from 
1766  to  1810. 

June  26,  1767,  Henry  Tomlinson  elected  district  committee,  Samuel 
Basit,  collector. 

Dec.  8,  1769,  at  house  of  H.  Tomlinson,  B.  Tomlinson,  moderator.  Voted 
to  hire  a  Master  for  the  winter  and  that  what  overplus  there  might  be  should 
be  used  to  pay  a  Mistress  in  the  summer. 

From  the  record  of  the  meeting  held  Dec.  12,  1770,  at  the  school-house, 
at  5  P.  M.,  it  appears  that  it  was  not  the  custom  to  hire  the  teacher  for  the 
winter  until  December.     The  meetings  were  usually  held  in  the  afternoon. 

Jan.  13,  Jonathan  Miles,  moderator.  A  motion  was  made  to  divide  the 
school.  The  meeting  adjourned  to  the  first  Monday  in  March,  at  4  p.  M., 
at  which  adjourned  meeting  an  adjournment  was  again  made  to  March  23rd, 
when  it  was  voted  "  that  those  persons  that  send  their  children  to  Henry 
Wooster's  school  shall  have  their  proportion  of  the  school  money  according  to 
their  list." 

At  the  meeting  held  Nov.  2,  1772,  Benjamin  Tomlinson,  moderator,  no  ac- 
tion is  recorded,  except  to  instruct  the  committee  to  hire  a  teacher  for  the 
winter,  at  his  discretion. 

The  next  meeting  recorded  was  held  Dec.  y®  14th,  1774.  Micah  Pool  was 
chosen  "  one  of  the  committee,"  and  Samuel  Russell,  clerk. 

It  was  voted  that  w^arnings  of  the  next  meeting  be  posted  at  the  houses  of 
Joseph  Canfield,  George  Beard  and  Capt.  John  Lum,  six  days  before  the 
meeting. 

Nov.  13,  1775,  B.  Tomlinson,  moderator  -,  Christopher  Smith  was  chosen 
one  of  the  committee. 

Probably  owing  to  the  troublous  times  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution, 
no  meeting  seems  to  have  been  held  in  1770,  but  Nov.  27, 1777,  B.  Tomlm- 
son  was  again  moderator.  An  adjournment  was  taken  from  the  schoolhouse  to 
the  house  of  George  Bard,  Dec.  11,  but  no  business  transactions  recorded. 


150  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Sept.  2,  1778,  voted  to  hire  a  sclioolraaster  three  months,  "  and  pay  the 
master  pr.  the  poll  of  the  scholer  after  the  publick  money  is  gone." 

June  12,  1780,  Mieah  Pool,  moderator  ;  adjourned  to  June  19th,  and  voted 
to  hire  a  mistress  at  six  shillings  pr.  [torn  off — prooahly  weel{']  "  and  to  pay 
schoolmistress  pr.  the  pool  of  the  schollers." 

Oct.  10,  1780,  at  the  house  of  James  Manvil ;  Mica  Pool,  moderator ; 
Henry  Tomlinson  appointed  collector. 

Feb.  15,  1781,  Joseph  Tomlinson,  moderator ;  voted  to  hire  a  master  until 
April  1,  and  pay  by  "  poll  of  the  scholars."     Daniel  Tomlinson  voted  clerk. 

Nov.  14,  1781,  Philo  Holbrook  voted  clerk.  The  next  record  is  Nov.  23, 
1784,  when  peace  again  prevailed,  and  the  school,  which  very  likely  had  been 
suspended  by  the  necessities  of  the  war  for  independence,  was  again  awarded 
the  attention  it  deserved,  by  those  lovers  of  home,  church,  school,  and  free 
government.  The  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Geo.  Bard  ;  Zachariah 
Fairchild,  moderator.  It  was  "  voted  to  build  a  schoolhouse  on  the  highway 
near  Mr.  John  Hawley's."  Building  committee,  Ebenezer  Lues,  Webb  Tom- 
linson,   Hawkins,  Jonathan  Lum,  Jr.,  and Pool.     "  Voted  Mr. 

George  Bard,  Mr.  Jonathan  Lum,  Jr.,  Mr.  Rusil  Tomlinson,  Committe." 

Nov.  28,  1785,  Webb  Tomlinson,  moderator ;  voted  a  rate  of  six  pence  on 
the  pound  be  collected  on  the  list  of  1784  to  finish  the  schoolhouse,  John 
Hawley,  collector.  Voted  that  the  warnings  for  meetings  be  put  up  at  the 
schoolhouse  and  Geo.  Bard's  shop.  Voted  Sam'l  Russel  be  one  of  the  com- 
mittee in  place  of  Jonathan  Lum,  Jr. 

March  20,  178G,  at  the  house  of  John  Hawley  ;  Henry  Tomlinson,  modera- 
tor ;  John  Hawley  voted  "  committyman  in  room  of  Joseph  Hawkins,  also 
Russell  Tomlinson,  Sam'l  Russell  and  James  Manville,  Committee." 

Nov.  22, 1787,  Josiah  Nettleton,  moderator. 

Dec.  26,  1788,  Christopher  Smith,  moderator,  rate  laid  of  3d.  on  the  £, 
list  of  1788,  Webb  Tomlinson,  collector.  Samuel  Russell,  Russell  Tomlin- 
son and  James  Manville,  committee. 

"  October  the  25,  A.  D.,  1790. 

"  At  a  lawful  meeting  lawfully  warned  and  attended,  voted  Mr.  Samuel 
Russel  moderator.  2nd  voted  Mr.  Henry  Tomlinson  a  school  Committee  in 
the  room  of  IMr.  Samuel  Russel.  3d  voted  Mr.  Abel  Holbrook  clerk  for 
this  eighth  School  district,  it  fourthly  Voted  that  the  committee  should  hire 
a  school  master  for  this  school  according  to  their  discretion  for  the  ensuing 
year  and  pay  the  Master  by  the  pool  of  the  scholar." 

Mar.  21,  1794,  voted  Nathaniel  Holbrook,  Russel  Tomlinson  and  Jonathan 
Lum,  committee. 

Nov.  9,  1795,  voted  Enos  G.  Nettleton,  clerk ;  R.  Tomlinson,  J.  Lum,  Jr., 
and  James  Bassett,  committtee. 

Nov.  G,  1796,  J.  Lum,  Nathan  Mansfield  and  N.  Holbrook,  committee ; 
Enos  G.  Nettleton,  clerk. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUE.  151 

Nov.  27,  1797,  voted  E.  G.  Kettleton,  J.  Lum  and  K  Holbrook,  commit- 
tee ;  voted  to  hire  a  master  four  mouths  "  by  the  poll  of  the  scholar." 

Nov.  G,  1798,  Amos  Bassett,  moderator ;  Abram  English,  clerk ;  voted 
that  the  eighth  district  be  divided  into  two  districts. 

Oct.  11,  1799,  J.  Lum,  moderator ;  Abram  English  clerk ;  J.  Lum,  N. 
Holbrook  and  Ephraim  Wooster,  committee  ;  voted  to  hire  a  master  five 
months. 

Dec.  3,  ISOO,  Eleazer  Lewis  moderator ;  David  Tomlinson  clerk ;  A.  Eng- 
lish, IMoses  Fentou,  and  Eichard  Holbrook,  committee  ;  Nathaniel  Holbrook, 
collector. 

Dec.  23,  1800,  voted  Eeuben  Lura  and  Wilson  Hurd  committee  in  addition 
to  above ;  and  to  hire  another  master  and  to  "  divide  the  money  according  to 
the  poll  of  the  scholars  belonging  to  the  Jirst  district." 

March  14, 1801,  voted  to  hire  a  teacher  twelve  months,  the  school  to  be  kept 
in  the  meetinghouse  as  long  as  the  weather  will  permit,  then  to  be  contin- 
ued in  the  school-house. 

Nov.  5,  1801,  voted  John  Lum,  Jr.,  Moses  Fenton  and  Isaac  Bassett,  com- 
mittee ;  David  Tomliuson,  clerk. 

From  the  record  of  the  meeting  held  Nov.  12,  1802,  it  was  voted  that  "  the 
public  money  of  the  Great  Hill  School  Society  shall  be  applied  to  such 
schools  as  the  committee  think  proper,"and  a  provision  was  made  that  those  who 
were  unable  to  pay  the  schooling  of  their  children  should  not  be  assessed  there- 
for, thereby  manifesting  their  belief  that  it  was  for  the  public  good  that  the 
free  education  of  the  children  of  the  poor  should  be  provided  for. 

April  25,  1803,  voted  that  a  rate  of  six  mills  on  the  dollar  be  laid  to  repair 
the  school-house. 

Oct.  18,  1803,  David  Tomlinson,  collector ;  J.  Lum,  Eichard  Holbrook 
and  James  Bassett,  Committee.     Voted  to  hire  a  teacher  for  five  months. 

"  At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  First  School  District  in  Great  Hill  School  So- 
ciety, holden  at  the  school-house  in  said  District,  Monday,  the  18th  of  March, 
1805.  First,  voted  Mr.  AbnerTibbils,  moderator ;  2ud,  voted  David  Tomlinson, 
clerk;  3rd,  voted  Mr.  Johnathan  Lum,  Benjamin  English  and  Wilson  Hurd 
a  school  committee  for  the  first  district ;  4tli,  voted  Mr.  Benjamin  English  a 
collector  of  Miss  Eebecca  French's  bill;  5th,  voted  Ephraim  Wooster  collec- 
tor for  the  year  ensuing." 

Nov.  4th,  1805,  J.  Lum,  moderator ;  David  Tomlinson,  clerk ;  J.  Lum, 
A.  English  and  Wilson  Hurd,  committee.  Doct.  Lum  to  see  to  the  school- 
house. 

Nov.  19th,  180G,  same  clerk  and  moderator  elected;  Eichard  Holbrook 
and  Abm.  English  <;ommittee. 

Nov.  30tli,  1810,  John  Smith,  moderator ;  D.  Tomlinson,  clerk ;  adj.  to 
W.  A.  Gillett's ;  Jared  Mansfield  and  John  Smith,  committee ;  Capt.  J. 
Nettleton,  collector.  "  Voted  that  wood  pr.  load  should  be  84  cts.  and  board- 
ing teacher  7  cts.  per  meal  or  87ic,  per  week. 


152 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


SHRUB  OAK  SCHOOL. 

Teachers,  Summer. 


1847-9, 
1850, 
1851, 
1852-3, 

1854, 

1855, 
1856, 

1857, 
1858, 
1859, 
1860-4, 

1865, 
1867, 


Teachers,  Winter. 

Frederick  Durand. 


Frances  Wooster. 


Committee, 

Lyman  Botsford, 
Warren  French, 
Hiram  Upson, 
Charles  Swift, 

Jauuary  4th,  1852,  voted  to  unite  with  otlier  districts  In  forming  a  Union  School. 

Warren  French, 

Augusta  Sanford,  Leverett  Mallory. 

Leverett  Mallory. 


David  Lounsbury, 


1846, 
1847, 
1848, 
1849, 
1850, 
1851, 

1852, 
1854, 
1855, 
1856, 
1857, 
1858, 
1859, 
1860, 
1861, 
1862, 
1863, 
1864, 
1865, 
1866, 
1867, 


Chas.  R.  Hurlburt, 
James  E.  Fisher, 
Charles  Daniels, 
Stephen  R.  Rider, 
Amos  G.  White, 
Joseph  J.  Wilcoxon, 


1866,      B.  W^  Smith, 
1868,      Charles  W.  Storrs, 


BELL  SCHOOL,  No.  .'>. 

Teachers,  Summer, 


Teachers,  Winter. 


1832, 
1833, 
1834, 

1835, 
1836, 
1837, 

1838, 
1839, 


Mrs.  Travis,         -         .         .  Isaac  Sperry. 

Miss  Piatt,      ....  Ann  Beuham. 

Miss  Williams,  .        .  John  Northrop. 

Miss  Williams  kept  a  select  school,  1835-7. 

James  Green,  .         .         .  John  Lindley. 

Miss  Huntington,        .        .  John  Northrop. 

Miss  Williams,        .         .         .  John  Lindley. 

Miss  Benham,  .         .  Wales  Buckingham. 

Miss  Wniite,    .         .         -  Mrs.  Wheeler. 


CENTER  DISTRICT,  No. 

Teachers,  Summer. 


6. 


Committee. 

John  Bodge. 

Ransom  Tomlinson,     P.  B.  Buckingham. 
Crownage  Lounsbury. 
Frederick  Lord,  Jane  M.  Wooster. 

Elijah  Losee,  Charles  W.  Sharpe. 

Nathan  Tomlinson, 

School  Building  moved  north  of  the  house  of  S.  Y. 

Albert  Allen. 
S.  Y.  Beach, 
Thomas  James, 


Teachers,  Winter. 

P.  B.  Buckingham. 
P.  B.  Buckingham. 
P.  B.  Buckingham. 


Laura  A.  Sperry, 
E.  M.  Bradley. 
School-house  moved  to  its 


Peter  Worth, 


M.  A.  Wilcox, 
Cornelia  E.  Sherwood, 


Evan  Llewellyn, 

Philo  B.  Buckingham,         "  " 

David  Betts,  Jr.,  Rhoda  Kendall, 

Ira  E.  Parmelee,  "             " 

Henry  Kershaw,  "             " 

Mark  Lounsbury,  "             " 

Christian  Quering,  Miss  Coltingham. 


Stephen  S.  Mallet. 

Beach. 

E.  M.  Bradley. 

present  location. 
Betsey  Leek. 

E.  L.  Tuttle. 
Cornelia  E.  Sherwood. 
Rhoda  Kendall. 


G  E  X  E  A  L  O  G  I  E  S 


"  The  sacred  tie  of  family,  which  reaching  backward  and  forward,  binds 
the  generations  of  men  together,  and  draws  out  the  plaintive  music  of  our 
being  from  the  solemn  alternation  of  cradle  and  grave — the  black  and  white 
keys  of  life's  harpsichord  ;  the  magical  power  of  language,  which  puts  spirit 
in  communion  with  spirit  in  distant  periods  and  climes  ;  the  great  sympathies 
of  country,  which  lead  the  Greek  of  the  present  day  to  talk  of  '  the  victories 
we  gained  over  the  barbarians  at  Marathon';  the  mystic;  tissue  of  race,  woven 
far  back  in  the  dark  chambers  of  the  past,  and  which  after  the  vicissitudes 
and  migrations  of  centuries,  wraps  up  great  nations  in  its  broad  mantle ;  those 
significant  expressions  which  carry  volumes  of  meaning  in  a  word — Forefather, 
Parent,  Child,  Posterity,  Native  Land :  these  all  teach  us,  not  blindly  to 
worship,  but  duly  to  honor  the  past,  to  study  the  lessons  of  experience,  to  scan 
the  high  couusels  of  man  in  his  gi'eat  associations,  as  those  counsels  have  been 
developed  in  constitutions,  in  laws,  in  maxims,  in  traditions,  in  great,  un- 
doubted principles  of  right  and  wrong,  which  have  been  sanctioned  by  the 
general  consent  of  those  who  have  gone  before  us ;  thus  tracing  in  human 
institutions  some  faint  reflection  of  that  diviije  wisdom  which  fashioned  the 
leaf,  that  unfolded  itself  six  weeks  ago  in  the  forest,  on  the  pattern  of 
the  leaf  which  was  bathed  in  the  dews  of  Paradise  in  the  morning  of  crea- 
tion."— Hon.  Edward  Everett. 

Genealogical  research  is  becoming  more  frequent  and  the  data  are  more 
highly  valued  with  the  lapse  of  years.  The  following  collection  is  made  up  fi'om 
town  records,  family  records,  old  manuscripts,  colonial  and  town  histories,  and 
the  recollection  of  our  older  citizens.  Where  descendants  of  the  old  settlers 
have  interested  themselves  to  furnish  additional  particulars,  or  where  the  re- 
cords have  been  more  full,  the  genealogies  are  more  complete.  The  fol- 
lowing abbreviations  are  used;  b.  for  born;  m.  for  married;  d.  for  died. 
D.  E,. — Derby  Records  ;  '""•^ — volume  of  births,  marriages  and  deaths.  The 
figures  preceding  names  indicate  the  individuals  descended  from  the  same 
ancestor,  and  are  for  convenience  of  reference.  The  figures  on  the  right 
indicate  the  generation,  thus — John^  indicates  the  fourth  generation  from  the 
first  of  the  name  ffiven. 


154  niSTOKY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

FRENCH. 

Francis,^  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Derby,  (see  p.  41,)  m.  Ljdia .  Chil- 
dren: ^Lydia,  b.  Aug.  21, 1002,  d.  Sept.  7,  1004;  *  Elizabeth,  b.  June  20, 
1004;  5  Anna,  b.  Aug.  10,  1000  ;  ^Mary,  b.  Sept.  4, 1008,  d.  Oct.  20,  1077 ; 
^Dorah,  b.  Sept.  20,  1070;  « Samuel,  b.  Jan.  0,  1072;  ^ Susannah,  b.  June 
(),  1075;  1  0 Francis,  b.  Feb.  11,  1077;  ^'(Nanie  torn  off  the  record),  Nov. 
1,  1070.     Frances'  died  Feb.  14,  1009. 

1^'Francis,^  m.  Anna  Bowers,  Sept.  2,  1703.  Children:  i^Xathaniel, 
d.  Nov.  13,  1770,  aged  04  ;  i^ganiuel,  d.  Feb.  2,  1783,  aged  78  ;  isQiu^i-ies, 
town  clerk  of  Derby  thirty -four  years,  d.  Nov.  9, 1783,  aged  79;  i*^  Israel. 

i^' Israel^  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  north  part  of  Derby,  now 
Seymour,  Sarah  Loveland,  Sept.  11,  1739.  Children:  ^ '^ David,  b.  1741, 
d.  Aug.  4,  1821 ;  i« Israel;  ^^ Enoch,  the  miller;  2oBow^ers;  2 1 Charles,  b. 
Dec.  19,  1705. 

1 7 David,*  the  oldest  son  of  '  '^Israel,  married  Lois  Lines  of  Bethany.  He 
first  lived  on  Nyumphs  Hill,  but  after  a  while  built  in  Bethany,  then  the  north 
part  of  Woodbridge,  at  the  place  now  occupied  by  Justus  Peck.  His  children 
were:  2  2L)avid,  2  3Adonijah,2  4Luther  (of  Beacon  Hill),  2 5 Asaph,  26 Harry, 
2 7 Sarah,  ssHannah,  2  9Dorcas,  ^oHepzibah,  ^iLydia,  3  2Lois. 

22Davld^  Children:  ^s  Utiles  (of  New  Haven) ;  ^e^jj^ries  ;  ^THannah, 
m.  Sheldon  Clark;  ^s^nima,  m.  Joel  White  of  Oxford;  ^gfiliza,  m.  John 
Sanford,  d.  1877  ;  ^oHannah,  m.  Doolittle,  lived  in  Hamden. 

2  3Adonijah^  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  several  times  one  of  the  rep- 
resentatives of  Woodbridge.  Children  :  *  2  Adonijah,  *  s Miles,  ■*  ''Lois ;  ^  ^ Har- 
riett, m.  Jared  K.  Ford. 

siCharles,"*  b.  in  town  of  Derby,  Dec.  19,  1705;  Anna  Woodcock,  b. 
iu  Milford,  Aug.  20,  1703,  m.  Feb.  23,  1784;  Charles,*  d.  April  14,  1814; 
Anna,  d.  Dec.  24,  1859.     Children  : 

^  "Sally,  b.  Nov.  14,  1784,  m.  Brastus  Sperry,  Dec.  20,  1803. 

'^i  Polly,  b.  Oct.  20,  1780,  d.  Nov.  11,  1794. 

5  2  Wales,  b.  Oct.  12, 1788,  m.  Betsey  Hitchcock,  April,  1810,  died  in  N.Y. 
March  5,  1814.     His  widow  died  in  New  Milford  in  1820. 

s^Grant,  b.  Oct.  13,  1790,  d,  Sept.  29,  1794. 

s^Eaynumd,  b.  July  29,  1792,  d.  Sept.  27,  1794. 

■^ '^Alfred,  b.  Aug.  22,  1794,  m.  Lydia  Hotchkiss,  d.  June  23,  1859. 

^6 Grant,  b.  July  28,  1790. 

^  7  Polly, b.  Aug. 28, 1798,  m.  Joseph  Russell,  Dec.  23, 1817,  d.  May  27, 1865. 

•"^^  Susan  b.  July  28,  1800. 

5  9  Harriett,  b.  March  20,  1803,  d.  May  5,  1804. 

« "Raymond,  b.  Jan.  7,  1805,  m.  Olive  Curtiss,  Dec,  11,  1833. 

eiCharles,  b.  Oct.  1,  1807,  m.  Julia  Sperry,  Aug.  20.  1831. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  155 

7  oIS'athan,  m.  Lucy  Jolnison,  Sept,  2, 1773.    Children  :   ^  ^  Eunice,  I).  May 
8,  1775  ;  7  2  Asa,  b.  Marcli  2G,  1777. 

■''^Raymond,  son  of  Cliarles  and  Anna  Frencli,  in.  Olive  Curtiss,  Dec.  11, 
18;i3.     Children  :— 

Carlos,  ni.  Julia  H.  Thompson  of  New  Milford. 
Ann,  ni.  Cornelius  W.  James  of  Seymour. 
Sarah,  m.  Judge  AV.  B.  Stoddard  of  New  Haven. 
Harriett,  m.  Samuel  H.  Canfield  of  Seymour. 


i^Enoch^  m.  Comfort ,  died  Sept.  27,  1852.     Children  :   ^swiHiani, 

b.  Sept.  29,  1783,  d.  Oct.  10,  1823;  "^^^ancy,  b.  Dec.  22,  1785,  m.  William 
Bassett,  Jan.  29,  1811  ;  ^■'>B[n\,  of  Salisbury,  b.  Oct.  1, 1797,  ra.  Eliza  Tharp, 
Aug.  2,  1822 ;  ^epamelia,  b.  Sept.  10, 1799,  m.  Isaac  Bassett,  Sept.  8, 1822  ; 
7 'Enoch,  b.  Jan.  8,  1803,  d.  May  12,  1821;  ^^jg^-ae]^  b.  Jan.  29,  1805,  m. 
<  'aroline  Tolls,  Feb.  8,  1829. 


**  "Walter  French  married  Laura  Storrs,  and  came  to  Humphreysville 
from  Mansfield.  He  first  introduced  the  manufacture  of  augers  in  what  is 
now  Seymour.  The  first  were  made  in  the  old  shop  corner  of  Hill  and  Pearl 
streets,  Mr.  F.  being  associated  with  Col.  Ira  Smith.  Soon  after,  Mr.  F.  built 
the  house  on  "West  street  formerly  occupied  by  John  Washburn,  and  built  a 
shop  a  little  east  of  the  house  now  occupied  by  Warren  French.  He  afterward 
superintended  the  Avorks  of  Gen.  Clark  Wooster,  whose  shop  stood  on  the 
river  bank  opposite  where  the  works  of  James  Swan  now  stands.  His  shop 
was  closed  in  1844,  and  Walter  French  returned  to  Westville,  to  commence 
the  manufacture  of  augers  there.  Wales  French  bought  the  shop  by  the  saw- 
mill, and,  with  his  brother  Warren,  carried  on  the  business  about  two  years, 
when  Wales  sold  out  and  removod  to  Westville.  The  children  of  Walter 
French  were:  ^^wrjuiam^  ^3\yarren,  f** Watson,  ^ ^Wesley,  ^'^ Wales, 
* ^ Washington ;  ^^Eliza,  m.  Levi  Gilbert  of  New  Haven;  ^^Emily,  m. 
Henry  McCoy  of  Branford  ;  ^"Emmeline,  m.  Lemuel  Bliss  of  Humphreys- 
ville. 

^^ William,  m.  Milenna  Martin.  Children:  ^i Isabel,  m.  S.  C.Ford; 
9  2  Samuel. 

*=^  Warren,  b.  Nov.  10,  1804,  m.  Lucinda  Riggs,  Nov.  21,  1823.  Chil- 
dren: 9  3Harpen  R.,  ^^Herman  B.,  "^Laura  M.,  ^^  Walter  J. 

8  5  Wesley,  m.  1st,  Harriet,  daughter  of  Rev.  Samuel  Hickox,  2d,  Mary 

Bouo'liton. 


15()  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

BOOTH. 

1,  Richard  Booth,^  was  born  in  England  in  1607,  came  to  Stratford, 
Conn,  in  1640,  ni.  Elizabeth  Hawley.  Children :  3,  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.  12, 
1641,  ra.  John  Minor;  4,  Anna,  b.  Feb.  14,  1643;  5,  Ephraim,  b.  Aug.  1, 
1648;  6,  Ebenezer,  b.  Nov.  19,  1651 ;  7,  John,  b.  Nov.  5,  1653  ;  8,  Joseph, 
b.  March  8,  1656;  9,  Bethia,  b.  Aug.  18,  1658;  10,  Johannah,  b.  March 
21, 1651.— [Stratford  Records,  vol.  1,  p.  24. 

6,  Ebenezer,^  m.  Sarah  Fairchild.  Children  :  12,  Ebenezer,  b.  1681, 
d.l729;  13,  Benjamin;  14,  Edward  ;  15,  Deborah;  16,  Elizabeth  ;  17,  Abi- 
gail. Ebenezer''^  was  made  a  freeman  in  Hartford  court.  May  13, 1765,  from 
Stratford. 

12,  Ebenezer,^  m.  Maria  Clark,  Sept.  8,  1709,  settled  in  Newtown,  d. 
in  1729.  Children :  18,  Ebenezer,  b.  1710 ;  19,  Deborah  ;  20,  Ann ;  21, 
Mary  ;  22,  Eunice  ;  23,  Abia  ;  24,  Abner. 

18,  Ebenezer.-*  Children  :  25,  Ann,  b.  Dec.  4,  1740,  d.  1741 ;  26,  Ebe- 
nezer, b.  Aug.  27,  1743 ;  27,  Elijah,  b.  Oct.  30,  1745 ;  28,  Ashbel,  b.  Oct. 
19,  1747;  29,  David,  b.  Oct.  4,  1749,  d.  1753;  30,  Nathan,  b.  July  19, 
1751;  31,  Amos,  b.  Aug.  17,  1752;  32,  David,  b.  Oct.  8,  1754;  33,  Amos, 
b.  Dec.  18, 1758;  34,  Amy,  b.  March  8,  1760;  35,  Mary,  b.  March  17,  1762. 

26,  Ebenezer,^  m.  Olive  Sanford,  Nov.  20,  1766,  lived  in  Newtown, 
and  was  by  trade  a  cabinet  maker,  d.  eTune  4,  1740.  Olive,  b.  March  27, 
1744,  d.  June  16, 1805.  Children:  37,  Amy,  b.  Wednesday,  Aug.  12,  1767, 
m.  — —  Sherman,  d.  April  20,  1798  ;  38,  Joel  b.  Saturday,  June  17, 1769,  d. 

Oct.  4,1794;  39,  Olive,  b.  Thursday,  Nov.   7,  1771,  m.^o Glover,  d. 

June  17,  1794 ;  41,  Rachel,  b.  Sunday,  Oct.  16, 1774,  d.  Jan.  31,  1777;  42, 

Rachel,  b.  Oct.  6,  1777,  m. Glover,  d.  Feb.  23,  1801 ;  43,  Ebenezer,  b. 

Sunday,  Dec.  24,  1780,  d.  Oct.  17,  1836. 

43,  Ebenezer,*^  m.  Anna  Han,  Jan.  11,  1802. 

Anna  Hau  was  the  daughter  of  Michael  Han,  wlio  emigrated  from  Germany  in  1752.  He  worked 
for  Capt.  Johnson  of  "Poverty  "  district,  Newtown,  several  years,  then  removed  to  South  Britain, 
iiml  tended  mill.  He  married  Ruth  Squire,  sister  of  Solomon  Squire,  about  l7Hfl.  He  was  one  of 
the  lirst  members  of  the  South  FJritain  Presbyterian  church,  having  been  one  of  the  petitioners  to 
the  (leiieral  Assembly  for  the  division  of  the  Southbury  church.  (Hist.  Woodbury,  p.  2.i'2.)  He 
was  early  among  the  defenders  of  his  adopted  country,  having  been  at  the  battle  of  Crown  Point, 
N.  Y.,May  10,  177.5,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Setli  Warren.  He  died  June  19,  l(Slfi,  and  was  buried 
ill  the  graveyard  in  Pierce  Hollow,  about  a  mile  north  of  South  Britain.  His  children  were  Mary. 
Benedict,  Michael,  Itosaiina,  Ruth,  Olive,  Jacol),  James,  and  Anna  who  was  born  Sept.  12,  1779, 
and  died  Nov.  18.  18r.7. 

(Children  of  Ebenezer''  and  Anna  Booth  : 

44,  Charles,  b.  October  21,  1802,  m.  Maria  Booth,  daughter  of  H.  Treat 
Booth  of  Woodbridge,  who  was  the  son  of  Dr.  Peter  Booth  of  Milford. 
Charles  died  in  Seymour,  Dec.  12,  1848.  Children  :  45,  Henry  Treat,  b.  May 
12,  1820,  d.  in  Washington,  D.  C,  Jan.  4, 1863;  46,  George,  47,  Louisa. 

48,  Olive  Maria,  b.  Julv  31,  1804,  m.  Lugrand  Sharpe,  d.^March,  8,  1864. 

49,  Rosette,  b.  July  3,"  1807,  m.  Wilson  E.  Hendrvx,  m.  Oct.  14,  1830. 
Children  :     5  0H.ii.,.y  [^ ^  si^^i^^rew  B.,  ^ 2 James  W.,  ^'HVilbur  A. 

54,  Mary  Ann,  b.  Nov.  23,  1815,  m.  David  Sackett. 

55,  Harry,  b.  Oct.  2,  1813,  d.  Oct.  2,  1825. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  157 

BALDWIN. 

^Henry^,  and  his  wife  Alice,  of  Dundridge,  England,  in  his  will  dated 
1599,  mentions  his  sons  ^Richard,  ^Sylvester,  '*John  and  ^Robert. 

^Sylvester^  ui.  Jane  Willis  in  1590,  d.  in  1638.  Children :  «John, 
'Henry,  ^Richard,  ^William,  ^ "Sylvester. 

1  "Sylvester^  m.  Sarah  Bryan.  He  sailed  for  America  on  ship  Martin, 
and  died  on  the  passage  in  June,  1638.  Children  :  ^^  Sarah,  baptised  April 
22,1621;  i2i|ichard,  baptised  in  England,  Aug.  25,  1622,  d.  in  Milford, 
July  23,  1665;  ^^Mdvy,  Feb.  19, 1625  ;  i^Martha,  baptised  April  20, 1628  ; 
i^Samuel,  Jan.  1,1632,  buried  June  4,1632;  ^ ^Elizabeth,  baptised  Jan. 
25, 1633;  buried  Jan.  31,  1633  ;  I'john,  i^Ruth. 

^^KiCHARD*  was  a  leading  man  in  Milford  and  one  of  the  purchasers  of 
Paugassett  from  the  Indians.     (See  page  42.) 

19  Barnabas^,  youngest  son  of  i^jjichard,  was  born  in  1665,  d.  1741. 
Children:  soximothy;  siXheophilus,  b.  1699;  2  2Syivanus,  b.  1706,  m. 
Mary,  daughter  of  Francis  French'^, 

2  0TmoTHY6,  son  of  Barnabas,  b.  1695,  d.  1766. 

2  3CAPT.  Teviothy^,  son  of  2oTimothy6,  b.  Dec.  15, 1722,  m.  Sarah  Beech- 
er,  Jan.  15,  174|,  who  died  in  1794,  in  her  74th  year.  Children  :  2  4garah, 
b.  April  11,  1746,  m.  Simeon  Wheeler  of  Derby,  Oct.  10,  1764;  2  5Timothy, 
b.  1749,  m.  1st,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Murray  Lester  of  Poughkeepsie,  2d, 
Charity  Somers,  andlefc  no  children  ;  2  6Xhaddeus,  b.  June  22, 1751 ;  2  7^iiQe, 
b.  Feb.  24,  1757,  m.  Edmund  Clark  of  Derby. 

2  8ISAAC',  the  miller,  son  of  i^Theophiliis'^,  b.  April  18,  1740,  m.  Philene 
Pardee  of  Derby,  Dec.  24,  1766,  lived  in  Woodbridge,  Bethlehem  and  Derby, 
d.  Jan.  4,  1799.  Philene  d.  July  1826.  Children:  2  9i>achel,  b.  Sept.  30, 
1767,  d.  1786;  ^oRadiel,  b.  Sept.  30,  1769;  siJsaac,  b.  Nov.  24,  1780, 
Tu.  Louina  Rowe,  removed  to  Litchfield ;  3  2I^^liag^  |j.  jan,  16, 1773;  ^^Elizer ; 
^''Eunice;  ^^Louis,  b.  Nov.  17,  1780;  seEliphalet,  b.  1785;  a^Lyman, 
Aug.  1, 1786. 

3 »  Charles',  son  2  2Sylvanus'',  b.  1751. 

3 9 Seymour**,  son  of  Charles,  b.  1807,  m.  Mary  Candee  of  Oxford. 

"oCharles  C.3,  son  of  ^QSeymour**,  b.  1834,  residence  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
attorney  at  law,  secretary  of  the  Western  Reserve  and  Northern  Ohio  Histor- 
ical Society,  and  author  of  the  Genealogy  of  the  Baldwin  Family. 

^'Lyman^,  m.  Nancy  Candee,  daughter  of  Moses  Candee  of  Oxford. 
Children:  "^Dr.  Edwin  C,  of  Baltimore ;  ''2juiiug^   of  Beach  Pond,  Pa. ; 

*  3 Alvin,  ■*  '* Amanda,  m. Cushman  ;  ^  sjyjary,  m. Huntington  ; 

4«Emily  M.,  m. Olmstead,  of  Youngsville,  Sullivan  Co.,  Ohio. 

35LOUIS,  m.  1st,  Maria  Somers.  Ch.:  '•TAleta,  b.  1808,  m.  Smith  Clark ; 
m.  2nd,  Lorinda,  daughter  of  Jesse  Baldwin.  Ch,:  ^ 9 Albert  L.,  m.  Delia 
Youngs;  ^oQeorge  W.,  ^^Ann  Maria,  m,   Edwin  Hyde  of  New  Haven; 

5  2Mary,  m.  Thomas  Cypher  of  New  York  ;  ^sEjitija^  ra. Allen,  of 

New  Haven  :  ^ -^Charles. 


158  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

BEACH. 

1  Samuel  Beach,  who  came  to  New  Haven  from  England,  married  first, 
Miss  Sanford,  second.  Miss  Potter. 

2  Benjamin,  only  son  of  Samuel,  m.  Miss  Blackley  and  had  three  sons, 
of  whom  Benjamin,  2d,  the  first  settled  preacher  in  what  is  now  Seymour, 
was  one. 

^Benjamin.  Cliiklren:  ''Griles,  died  in  North  Haven  at  the  age  of  82; 
^Lydia;  ''Titus,  who  built  the  first  mill  wheie  Sharon  Y.  Beach's  papermill 
now  stands,  d.  in  Clymer,  Chatauque  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  ^ Mercy  :  ^  Joel ;  ^David, 
d.  iu  Oxford;  i^Simeon;  Benjamin,  2d,  died  in  Cornwall  at  the  age  of  79 
years. 

^GiLES,  m.  Mary  Dayton.  Children:  ^^Bedy,  b.  April  1,  1790,  ra. 
Samuel  Hemingway  of  Montowese;  ^^  Joseph  B.,  m.  Julia  Curtiss ;  i^Ben- 
jamin  H. ;  Abram,  m.  Rhoda  Dorothy,  lived  in  Fair  Haven;  i^Ancy,  b. 
June  1,  1805,  m.  George  Minor  of  Montowese;  '^^ijai-ou  Y.  Beach,  b.  May 
21,  18(t9. 

1^ Sharon  Y.  BeaCH^,  has  been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  papco-  in 
this  place  for  nearly  forty  years,  (see  page  120,)  and  has  been  a  zealous  advo- 
cate of  the  temperance  reform.  During  the  existence  of  the  Baptist  church 
of  Seymour,  he  was  one  of  its  most  efficient  supporters.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  iu  Seymour  to  move  in  calling  public  meetings  in  aid  and  support  of  the 
government  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion,  contributing  liberally  of  his 
time  and  means,  and  when  Company  H.  of  the  20th  C.  V.  was  being  organ- 
ized he  offered  an  additional  bounty  of  $10  for  each  man  who  should  enlist 
in  the  quota  of  Seymour,  and  when  the  company  was  completed  he  went  to  the 
camp  and  gave  the  sum  promised  to  each  man  from  Seymour,  to  the  amount 
of  $270.  He  was  one  of  the  selectmen  of  the  town  in  1852  and  1870,  justice 
of  the  peace  a  number  of  years,  one  of  the  school  visitors  of  Seymour  five 
years,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  most  of  the  time  since  the 
consolidation  of  the  districts  in  1808.  He  married  Adaline  Sperry,  Oct.  4, 
1832.     Children : 

i^GEORaE  W.  Beach,  born  in  1833.  In  1850  he  entered  service  of  the 
Naugatuck  Railroad  Company  as  clerk  at  Seymour,  and  also  filling  any  place 
upon  the  road  as  called  upon.  This  position  he  filled  with  success,  fiimiliarizing 
himself  with  the  details  of  the  business  and  the  methods  of  railroad  work. 
In  1851  he  was  placed  in  the  office  at  Waterbury  as  second  clerk,  but  was  fre- 
quently sent  to  various  stations  on  the  road,  thus  becoming  acquainted  all 
along  the  line.  In  1855  he  was  appointed  agent  at  Naugatuck,  and  in  1857 
he  was  called  upon  to  act  as  conductor  of  a  passenger  train,  taking  charge  of 
the  general  ticket  agency.  In  1861  he  became  agent  at  Waterbury,  and  in 
1868  succeeded  Charles  Waterbury  as  superintendent  of  the  road,  which  office 
he  has  since  held,  and  in  which  he  has  become  generally  and  favorably 
known  throughout  the  Naugatuck  valley.     He  is    a   deacon   of  the   First 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  159 

Congregational  church  in  Waterbury,  superintendent  of  its  Sunday  school, 
and  was  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  convention  in  IsTew  York  which  organized 
the  Christian  Commission  for  the  relief  of  soldiers  during  the  War  of  the  Re- 
bellion.    He  represented  Waterbury  in  the  legislature  in  1870  and  1871. 

1^  Andrew  Y.  Beach,  for  some  years  general  ticket  agent  of  the  ISTau- 
gatuck  Railroad,  and  now  general  freight  agent  of  the  Consolidated  Railroad 
at  Springtield,  Mass. ;  m.  Mary  Woodford. 

i^Emeline  E. 

19  Sharon  D.  Beach,  paper  manufacturer,  Seymour,  ra.  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Stephen  R.  Rider. 

2oTheodore  B.  Beach,  ticket  agent  of  the  Naugatuck  Railroad  at  Waterbury. 

Richard  Beach^  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Xew  Haven,  and  mar- 
the  widow  of  Andrew  Hull  about  1G40.  Children :  Mary,  b.  June,  1612 ; 
Benjamin,  b.  Oct.  1G14 ;  Azariah,  b.  July,  1640 ;  Mercy,  1648. 

AzARiAH,^  settled  in  Killingworth.  Children  :  Richard,  b.  Oct.  19, 1677; 
Thomas,  b.  Oct.  5,  1679 ;  Benjamin,  b.  Jan.  14,  1682. 

Benjamin,^  m.  Dinah  Birdsey  of  Stratford.  Children  :  Joseph,  b.  Oct. 
24,  1710;  Abel,  b.  Feb.  9,  1712. 

Joseph,*   m.    Experience  ,    lived   in    Durham    and    Torrington. 

Children:  Miriam,  b.  Dec.  5,  1734;  Hannah,  b.  May  17,  1736;  Phebe, 
b.  April  4,  1738 ;  Benjamin,  b.  March  25,  1740 ;  Experience,  b.  Sept.  10, 
1744  ;  Dinah,  b.  Xov.  2,  1751  ;  Joseph,  b.  July  26,  1753. 

Jesse  Beach,  Esq.,  of  Derby,  m.  Sally  Wheeler,  July  3,0,  1792. 
Children  ;  Lucy  Mariah,  b.  Feb.  23,  1794 ;  Sally  Keziah,  b.  Sept.  9,  1796. 
(D.  R.*^""*^,  p.  210.)  Jesse  Beach  was  chosen  moderator  of  the  town  meeting, 
Dec.  11,  1809. 

DTJRAND. 

Three  Huguenot  brothers  came  over  from  France  and  settled — one  in  Mil- 
ford,  one  in  Derby,  and  one  in  Oxford. 

2,  Joseph,^  of  Derby,  d.  Aug.  6,  J  792,  aged  81.  Anna,  wife  of  Joseph, 
d.  Feb.  14,  1788,  aged  64. 

4,  Nehemiah,"^  son  of  John,  of  Oxford,  b.  Dec.  8, 1753,  d.  Aug.  10, 1824  ; 
m.  Ruth  Jones,  b.  Dec.  9,  1758,  d.  .May  25,  1816.     «  hildren  : 

6,  Hannah,  b.  May  12,  1 789,  d  Nov.  18,  1818, 

7,  Polly,  b.  1791,  m.  Isaac  Kinney,  d.  Sept.  23,  1827. 

8,  John,  b.  1796,  d.  Oct.  3,  1819. 

10,  Jeremiah,  b.  March  22,  1800. 

10,  Jeremiah,''  m.  Betsey  Maria  Kenney,  Dec.  25,  1827.     Children : 

11,  Mary  Elizabeth,  b.  Nov.  2, 1828,  m.  Edwin  A.  Lum,  of  Waterbury. 

12,  Maria  A.,  b.  Feb.  22,  1831,  d.  Aug.  29,  1848. 

13,  Charies  William,  b.  Oct  2,  1834,  m.  Maria  Hill  of  Oberiin,  Ohio. 
Mercy,  daughter  of  Noah  and  Damaris  Duraud,  d.  May  8,  1748. — D.  R., 

vol.  6,  p.  2. 


160  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

HOLBROOK. 

John/  m.  Abigail, 

JoHN.^  m. Nichols,  daughter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Nichols  of  Newtown.  Chil- 
dren :  ^Philo,  ^Abel,  ''Richard,  ^Nathaniel,  ^ Austin.  They  were  all  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  Philo  was  at  Danbury  when  General  Wooster  was 
killed.  Nathaniel  served  through  the  whole  of  the  war,  and  was  present  at 
the  surrender  of  General  Burgoyne.  He  brought  home  a  musket,  through  the 
breech  of  which  a  ball  from  a  ''  King's  arm  "  passed  at  Saratoga,  as  he  raised 
it  to  his  shoulder  to  take  aim.  He  had  sons  named  i^DanieF,  ^^ Cyrus*. 
John*  had  a  negro  slave  named  Titus,  who  wished  to  go  and  fight  for  the  in- 
dependence of  the  colonies,  but  as  the  sons  were  all  gone,  John  told  him  that  if 
he  would  stay  and  help  him  till  the  war  was  over  he  would  then  give  him  his 
freedom  and  a  tract  of  land.  He  did  so,  and  the  road  which  passed  the  land 
which  was  given  to  him  is  still  known  as  Titus'  lane. 

^Philo^  m.  Eleanor  Wooster,  daughter  of  Squire  John  Wooster.  Chil- 
dren:  i4^i3ijaij^  i^Sarah,  i^Eunice,  ^''Sabra,  m.  1st,  Ebenezer  Riggs,  2d, 
Curtiss  Lindley. 

i^Abijah,'*  m.  Sarah  Webster.     Children  :   i^Tliomas  W.  and  '  ^Sarah. 

7RiCHARD,^3  m.  1st,  Mrs.  Sarah  Lura,  Sept.  13,  1797,  d.  Nov.  21,  1798, 
2d,  Gracey  Hawkins,  Oct.  6,  1799.  Children  :  ssi^aniel  Lum,  b.  Nov.  21, 
1798;  26Sarah,  b.  July  31,  1800;  27philo,  b.  March  12,  1802;  ^sAustin, 
Jan.  21,  1804  ;  2  9  Richard,  Nov.  19,  1805.     I).  R.^^^'-^p.  230. 

3  4CAPT.  John  Holbrook  died  Jan.  28,  1801,  aged  74.  Esther,  his 
wife,  died  Feb.  5,  1795,  aged  63. 

^'^JoHN  Holbrook,  Jr.,  m.  Huldah  Fox,  July  7,  1774.  Huldah  died 
April  1,1790.  Children:  ^eHannah,  b.  Jan.  6, 1775  ;  "John,  b.  April  29, 
1777;  38Benjamin,  b.  Oct.  20,  1780;  » 9 David,  Dec.  27,  1782;  ^^Nabby, 
b.  Jan.  24,  1785  ;  ^igally,  b.  June  9, 1787,  d.  May  27, 1788.  D.  H^-^^  p.  230. 

^Capt  Abel,2  m.  Hannah  Clark,  of  Oxford.  Children:  ^^xhomas  O. ; 
"^Patty,  m.  Joseph  Piatt  of  Southbury  ;  ""Sir  William,  -^sHannah,  ^sAbel, 
"7  Esther. 

^'^Abel*  m.  Olive  Pierce  of  Southbury.  Children:  "'^Nathan,  m.  Ellen, 
daughter  of  William  R.  Tomlinson  ;  *^  Esther,  m.  Lawrence  Mitchell  of  New- 
town. 

2  7CAPT.  Philo  Holbrook^,  who  died  Nov.  17, 1878,  was  for  some  years 
in  command  of  a  vessel  sailing  between  New  Haven  and  the  West  Indies. 
He  became  a  member  of  Morning  Star  Lodge,  F.  and  A.  M.^,  Oct.  10,  1820, 
was  one  of  the  original  stockholders  of  the  Seymour  Savings  Bank  in  1852, 
justice  of  the  peace  from  1852  to  1858,  one  of  the  selectmen  of  the  town  of 
Seymour  in  1855  and  in  1865,  and  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in 
1869.  He  was  held  in  high  respect  by  his  fellow  townsmen,  who  had  so  often 
called  upon  him  to  fill  ofiices  of  trust  and  honor. 

''2THOMAS  C.\  m.  Maria  Beuham.  Children:  ^owilliam  E.,  ^iCharles 
F.,  5  2:Noyes  B. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  161 

6  1  Col.  Daniel  Holbrook^,  son  of  eoDanieP,  m.  Hitchcock, 

built  place  now  occupied  by  Joel  Chatfield  for  his  oldest  son.  Children  : 
^^Daniel,  ^^David,  6'*Josiah,  ^^Abel. 

6  2CAPT.  Daniel^,  m.  Elizabeth  M.  Riggs.  Children :  ee  Daniel,  6  7  Harry, 
6  ^Samuel. 

e^DANiEL",  m.  Harriett,  (b,  1798),  daughter  of  Moses  Riggs.  Served  in 
the  company  of  Capt.  Abraham  Hubbard,  Conn.  Militia,  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Children : 

6  9  Willis,  b.  Aug.  19,  1818,  m.  M.  Maria  Smith. 

'"Horace,  b.  Jan.  18,  1821,  m.  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Styles  Tucker. 

7  1  David,  b.  June  24,  1826,  ra.  Cynthia  Smith. 

7  2  Eliza,  b.  May  16,  1829,  m.  Clement  A.  Sargent. 
6 'Harry,  son  of  Capt.  DanieP,  m.  Nancy  Davis.     Children :  ' » Nancy  M., 
'•*Mary. 


WHEELER. 

iJames  Wheeler,  m,  Sarah  Johnson,  May  19tli,  1736.  Children: — 
'-Sarah,  b.  Dec.  27,  1737,  d.  March  31,  1764 ;  ^Samuel,  b.  Sept.  24,  1739 ; 
^Simeon,  b.  Apr.  15,  1741 ;  ^Ruth,  May  20,  1743,  d.  Sept.  1,  1764 ;  ^James, 
b.  Apr.  6,  1745;  'a  daughter  b.  March  1,  1747,  d.  in  infancy  ;  ^Joseph,  b. 
May  14, 1748 ;  ^Moses,  b.  July  28, 1750  ;  i^Anna,  b.  Aug.  10, 1752 ;  ^^David, 
b.  May  14,  1754;  i^joim^  b.  June  2,  1756;  i^Blijah,  b.  Dec.  22,  1758; 
^*Hannah,  b.  May  25,  1761 ;  ^^Sarah,  b.  Apr.  15,  1764.  iJames,  Sen.,  d.  in 
May,  1768,  aged  52  years.  Sarah,  his  wife,  d.  in  Sept.,  1812,  aged  92  years. 
Mrs.  Lois  Wheeler,  the  mother  of  James  Wheeler,  died  Sept.  11,  1767,  aged 
87  years. 

'y  OHN  Wheeler,  m.  Sybil  Todd.    Child :— isjolm  Todd,  b.  in  1777. 

^'^JoHN  Todd  Wheeler,  m.  Sally  Clark,  who  died  in  1824,  leaving 
an   only  child,  ^'John  Clark  Wheeler. 

I'JOHN  C.  Wheeler,  m.  Charlotte  Chatfield,  who  died  in  1831.  Chil- 
dren :     i^Henry,  I'^Frances,  *'John,  ^^Sarah. 

Children  of  ^"Jolin  G.  and  Charlotte  Wlieeler. 

^^Henry,  m.  Nancy  Hotchkiss.  Children  : — ^^Charlotte,  '^^Frances,  ^"^Mary, 
^Henry,  ^"^Elizabeth,  d.  aged  two  and  a  half  years ;  ^"John,  d.  aged  eight 
years. 

ITERANCES,  m.  O.  C.  Putnam.     Children :     ^''Flora,  ^^Linda,  ^''Frank. 


162  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

^JOHN,  m.   Alice    Stanbury  of  N.  Y.     Children : — ^^ Josephine,   ^^Alice, 
33Elizabeth,  ^iMarie. 

"Sarah,    m.   Charles    E.   Converse.       Children : — ■'-'^Charles,   ^^Almira, 
^'Alfred. 

Children  of  ^^Henry  and  Nancy  Wheeler. 

^^ChARLOTTE,  m.  Charles  L.  Lockwood.     Children  : — ^^Fanny,  ^^Louise, 
^Bessie,  "iMamie,  ^^Flora. 

^^Frances,  ra.  George  W.  Ely.  Children  : — '*^Henry,  '*^Leonard,  '•^ Agnes. 
24MARY,  m.  William  E.  Lowe.  Children :— ""Gerald,  *^Henry,  "^Charlotte. 
^^Henry,  unmarried. 

Children  of  ^^Franees  and  0.  C.  Putnam. 
28FLORA,  m.  V.  S.  Woodruff.     Child  :— "^prances. 
^^LiNDA,  m.  V.  S.  Woodruff. 
^"Frank,  died  aged  nine  years. 

Children  of  "^^John  and  Alice  Wheeler. 
^^ Josephine,  d.  in  1853,  aged  2  years  and  3  months. 
32 Alice,  m.  O.  M.  Bogart,  Jr.     Child  :— ^^  \lice. 
^^Elizabeth,  unmarried. 
3*Marie,  d.  in  1876,  aged  12  years. 

Children  of  ^^ Sarah  and  Charles  E.  Converse. 

35CHARLES,  m.  Addie  Shultz.    Child  :— ^^Sally. 
3*^ Almira,  m.  George  Claflin.     Child: — ^^^o\xi\. 
^'Alfred,  unmarried. 


John  Todd  Wheeler,  who  died  in  1868,  aged  91,  was  an  old  resident 
of  the  town  of  Seymour,  and  was  born  in  the  northern  part  of  the  old  town  of 
Derby,  then  called  Nyumphs,  now  Beacon  Falls.  His  father,  John  Wheeler, 
removing  to  the  then  great  west,  left  him  then  a  babe  with  his  grand-parents 
Todd,  who  lived  at  Derby  Landing,  who  brought  him  up  until  their  death, 
which  left  him  to  be  hired  out  until  he  was  of  age.  At  twenty  he  purchased 
his  time  and  married  Sally  Clark  of  Woodbridge  and  settled  in  Humphreys- 
ville,  now  the  town  of  Seymour,  following  the  vocation  of  a  merchant  until 
within  a  few  years  of  his  death,  being  one  of  the  town's  most  energetic  and 
best  citizens.  His  only  child,  a  son,  John  C.  Wheeler,  at  an  early  age 
entered  into  business  with  him,  was  a  merchant  and  manufacturer  of  augers 
and  paper  for  many  years,  until  he  removed  to  the  city  of  New  York,  where 
he  now  lives,  aged  82,  He  had  six  children  by  Charlotte  Chatfield,  his  wife, 
four  of  whom  are  still  living ;  the  eldest,  Henry,  now  a  resident  of  Seymour, 
and  John,  Francis  and   Sarah  all  living  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

John  Wheeler,  youngest  son  of  John  Todd  Wheeler,  born  in  Hum  - 
phreysville  in  1823,  removed  to  New  York  in  1843,  early  in  life  took  much  inter- 
est in  public  affairs  as  a  democrat,  in  1852,  at  the  age  of  27,  was  elected  to 


HON.  JOHX  WHEELER. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  163 

Congress  from  New  York  City,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  exciting  times  upon 
the  question  of  the  Repeal  of  the  "Missouri  Compromise,"  otherwise  called  the 
"Kansas  and  Nebraska  bill,"  in  the  33d  Congress.  Upon  its  being  made  a 
party  question,  admitting  slavery  north  of  Missouri,  he,  with  a  few  other 
democrats,  took  bold  and  open  ground  against  it,  and  was  the  only  member 
from  the  city  of  New  York  (of  six  democrats)  who  voted  against  the  bill. 
He  was  re-elected  to  the  34th  Congress — was  renominated  by  the  democracy 
in  1856  for  the  35th  Congress,  but  declined ;  was  a  war  democrat  when 
it  required  nerve  so  to  be,  was  a  strong  opponent  of  the  Tweed  Ring, 
going  out  of  Tammany  Hall  and  joining  with  the  honest  portion  of  the 
democracy  and  other  citizens  for  their  overthrow.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
active  of  the  famous  Committee  of  Seventy  which  overthrew  that  infamous 
ring,  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  movement  which  elected  William 
H.  Havemeyer  mayor,  and  one  of  the  men  who  obtained  from  the  Leg- 
islature at  Albany  the  Charter  of  1873.  On  the  passage  of  that  Charter, 
Mayor  Havemeyer  appointed  him  President  of  the  Department  of  Taxes 
and  Assessments,  one  of  the  Board  of  Estimate  and  Apportionment,  and 
a  Commissioner  of  Accounts,  which  positions  he  has  held  from  May,  1873, 
for  over  six  years,  doing  his  utmost  for  a  reduction  of  the  expenses  and  taxes 
of  the  city.  He  was  prominently  named  among  the  candidates  by  the 
regular  democracy  and  independent  citizens  in  1878,  for  Mayor,  but  declined 
to  enter  the  contest. 

The  following  extract  from  the  If.  Y.  Tribune  of  May  lOtli,  1879,  will 
show  the  estimation  in  which  Mr.  W.  is  held  in  New  York.  Referring  to 
his  appointment  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  York  as  a 
member  of  the  Commission  to  Revise  the  Tax  Laws,  the  Tribune  said : — 
"Mr.  Wheeler  is  well  and  most  favorably  known  for  his  administration  of 
the  Tax  Office,  and  it  is  to  hira  that  the  people  of  this  city  will  chiefly  look 
perhaps  for  such  a  reasonable  and  prudent  re-adjustment  of  the  tax  system  as 
will  divide  the  burden  fairly  among  all  classes  of  property." 

Mr.  Wheeler  is  a  modest,  unassuming  man,  an  Episcopalian,  having  been 
Vestryman  and  Senior  Warden  of  the  Anthon  Memorial  Church  for  many 
years,  and  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School  of  said  church  for  twelve 
years. 

''Seveeon  Wheeler,  m.  Sarah,  daughter  of  Capt.  Timothy  Baldwin. 
Children :— ^^jjuth,  b.  Sept.  17,  1765,  m.  Dea.  Bradford  Steele,  d.  Feb.  20, 
1856 ;  -^^Nathan,  m.  Experience  Washburn  ;  ^^Tiraothy,  ^"^Sarah,  m.  Eli  San- 
ford,  d.  May  23,  1820,  aged  80 ;  ^^David,  d.  Dec.  21,  1829,  aged  53,  un- 
married. 

"Joseph  Wheeler,  ra.  Lucy .    Children : — ^"Sally,  b.  Oct.  2, 

1774,  m.  Jesse  Beach  July  30,  1792 ;  ^sWilliam,  b.  Apr.  3,  1779 ;  ^o^^ancy, 
b.  Mar.  1,  1782 ;  "Whittelsey,  b.  Sept.  19,  1784 ;  «2 Joseph,  b.  Aug.  11, 
1787  ;  e^PoUy,  b.  May  19,  1791.— (D.  R.,'''"^  p.  212. 


164  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

UPSON.  • 

^Thomas  Upson  was  a  resident  of  Hartford  in  1638,  and  afterward  an 
original  settler  and  proprietor  of  Farmington.  He  married  Elizabeth  Fuller 
in  1646  and  died  July  20,  1655.  Children :— ^Thomas,  ^Stephen,  "Mary, 
^Hannah,  "Elizabeth. 

^Stephen,^  of  Waterbury,  m.  Mary  Lee,  Dec.  29, 1682,  and  died  in  1735, 
aged  85.  Children  :— ^Mary,  '^Stephen,  "Elizabeth,  ^"Thomas,  b.  Mar.  1, 1692, 
"Hannah,  ^^Tabitha,  i^John,  i^Thankful. 

ioThomas,^'  of  Wolcott,  ra.  Rachel  Judd,  May  28,  1749.  Children  :— 
^^Thoraas,  ^^Mary,  "John,  ^^Josiah,  ^"Asa,  ^''Timothy,  ^^Amos,  ^^Samuel,  b. 
Mar.  8,  1737,  ^sFreeman. 

Capt.  22SAMUEL,*  of  Wolcott,  m.  Ruth  Cowles,  Apr.  5,  1759,  d.  Feb.  25, 
1816,  aged  79.  Children  :— 24M:ary,  ^5 Archibald,  ^eigaac,  ^^Obed,  b.  Jan.  2, 
1767 ;  28Harvey,  ^ggamuel,  ^oRuth,  ^ijerusha,  32Manly,  ^^Betsey. 

2''Obed,^  b.  in  Wolcott,  m.  Sybil  Howe  and  lived  in  Waterbury. 
Children : -^-iLaura,  ^-^Hiram,  ^cMaria,  ^^Lena,  ^sGarry,  ^sLuther,  ^Isabel, 
''^Eunice,  ^^Caroline,  ""^Charlotte. 

^sHiRAM*^,  m.  Sarah  Harrison.     Children: 
'•'*  Harriett,  m.  Harpin  Riggs  of  Seymour. 
'*  5 Charles  N.,  of  Waterbury,  m.  Juliette  Warner. 
'* ''William  A.,  lives  in  Kensington,  m.  Sarah  Terrill. 
"'■'Martha  Maria,  m.  James  Smith  of  Derby. 
^^Hiram,  Jr.,  killed  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 
^^George  F.,  lives  in  Springfield. 
^^Edwin  Leroy,  d.  aged  2^  years. 
5  1  Sarah,  m.  George  W.  Beach  of  Waterbury. 
5  2Henry  H.,  d.  aged  17  years. 
s^Esther  P.,  m.  Leroy  Upson. 


ELLIS. 


Rev.  Thomas  Ellis  was  born  in  Martyn,  Flintshire,  North  Wales,  Jan. 
1,  1800.  He  emigrated  to  America  Apr.  1, 1824,  settled  in  Humphreysville 
and  married  Charlotte  Clinton,  Apr.  19,  1829.  He  joined  the  M.  E.  church 
in  1829  and  in  1833  received  a  license  as  local  preacher.  He  joined  the 
New  York  conference  in  1839  and  became  an  efficient  minister  of  the  gospel. 
His  children  were — Mary  J.,  m.  William  S.  Eno  of  Pine  Plains,  N.  Y. ; 
Adam  C.  and  Matthew  H.,  lawyers  of  New  York,  all  born  in  Humphreys- 
ville. Rev.  Mr.  Ellis  died  at  Pine  Plains,  N.  Y.,  May  31,  1873.  His  wife 
died  at  Hyde  Park,  N.  Y.,  June  8,  1860,  aged  51  years. 


ABIRAM  STODDARD,  M.  D. 


The  Coat  of  Armes  of  the  Antient  Family  of  Stoddard,  of  Lo7idon. 
8a.  3,  Estoiles  and  a  hordure  gu,  Crest  out  a  ducal  coronet  a  demihorse 
salient,  erm. 

Motto  : — Festina  Lente.    Be  in  haste,  but  not  in  a  hurry. 


The  name  Stoddard  is  derived  from  the  oifice  of  Standard-Bearer,  and  was 
anciently  written  De-La-Standard. 


In  the  office  of  Heraldry,  England,  the  following  origin  of  the  Stoddard 
Family  is  found  : 

William  Stoddard,  a  knight,  came  from  N"ormandy  to  England,  A.  D., 
106G,  with  William  the  Conqueror,  who  was  his  cousin.  Of  his  descendants, 
we  find  record  of  RuKARD  Stoddard,  of  Mottingham,  Kent,  near  Eltham, 
about  seven  miles  from  London  Bridge,  where  was  located  the  family  estate 
of  about  four  hundred  acres,  which  was  in  possession  of  the  family  in  1490, 
how  much  before  is  not  known,  and  continued  till  the  death  of  NICHOLAS 
Stoddard,  a  bachelor,  in  1765. 

Thomas  Stoddard,  of  Royston. 

John  Stoddard,  of  Grindon. 

William  Stoddard,  of  lioyston. 

John  Stoddard,  of  lioyston. 

Anthony  Stoddard,  of  London. 

Gideon  Stoddard,  of  London. 

Anthony  Stoddard,  of  London. 

William  Stoddard,  of  London. 

Anthony  Stoddard,  of  London. 


166  niSTOEY  OF  SEYMOUE. 

^Anthony  Stoddard  came  from  England  to  Boston  about  1639.  He 
was  admitted  Freeman  in  1640,  was  a  representative  in  1650, 1659, 1660,  and 
during  twenty  successive  years  from  1605  to  1684.  He  married  first,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Hon.  Emanuel  Downing  of  Salem,  who,  with  Lucy  his  wife, 
was  admitted  to  the  church  in  Salem  'Noy.  4th,  1638,  and  sister  of  Sir 
George,  afterward  Lord  George  Downing,  by  whom  he  had  three  sous  : 
^Solomon,  b.  Oct.  4,  1643,  d.  Feb.  11,  1729. 
^Samson,  b.  Dec.  3,  1645,  d.  i^ov.  4,  1698. 

■'Simeon,  b.  1650,  d.  Oct.  15,  1730.     Simeon  was  member  of  an  artillery 
company  in  1675.     He  had  three  sons  :  Anthony,  b.  Sept.  24,  1678, 
d.  Mar.  11,  1748;  David,  b.  Dec.  5,  1685;  Jonathan,  b.  Feb.  5, 1688. 
He  married  second,  Barbara,  widow  of  Oapt.  Joseph  Weld  of  Eoxbury, 
who  died  April  15, 1654,  by  whom  he  had  two  children : 
^Sarah,  b.  Oct.  21,  1652. 
"Stephen,  b.  Jan.  6,  1654. 
He  married  third,  Christian  (about  1655),  whose  family  name  is  unknown, 
by  whom  he  had  ten  children,  as  follows : 
^Anthony,  b.  June  16,  1656. 
^Christian,  b.  Mar.  22,  1657,  m.  Nathaniel  Peirse. 
''Lydia,  b.  May  27,  1660,  m.  Capt.  Samuel  Turell. 
i« Joseph,  b.  Dec.  1,  1661. 
'iJohn,  b.  April  22,  1663. 
i^Ebenezer,  b.  July  1,  1664. 
i^Dorothy,  b.  Nov.  24,  1665. 
i*Mary,  b.  Mar.  25,  1668. 
15 Jane,  and  Grace,  b.  July  29,  1669. 
Anthony  Stoddard,  Sr.,  d.  Mar.  16,  168  f. 

^Solomon,  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1662  and  was  librarian  of  the  college 
from  1667  to  1670,  preached  two  years  in  Barbadoes  to  the  dissenters,  and  in 
1672  became  the  settled  minister  of  Northampton,  Mass.  He  married  Mrs. 
Esther  Mather,  Mar.  8,  1680.     Children  : 

I'^Mary,  b.  Jan.  9,  1761,  m.  Kev.  Stephen  Mix,  who  graduated  at  Har- 
vard in  1690. 
^''Esther,  b.  June  2,  1672,  ra.  Nov.  6,  1694,  Eev.  Timothy  Edwards,  who 
graduated  at  Harvard  in  1691.     Their  fifth  child,  Johnathan,  b.  Oct* 
5,  1703,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1720,  elected  president  of  Nassau  Hall 
College  in  1757,  and  became  president  of  Princeton  College  in  Jan., 
1758,  in  which  position  he  continued  until  his  death. 
i«Samuel,  b.  Feb.  5,  1674,  d.  Mar.  22,  1674. 
19 Anthony,  b.  June  6,  1675,  d,  June  7,  1675. 
2» Aaron,  b.  Aug.  23,  1676,  d.  Aug.  23,  1676. 

"Christain,  b.  Aug.  23, 1676,  m.  Eev.William  Williams,  who  graduated  at 
Harvard  in  1683,  and  was  settled  as  minister  in  Hatfield  GO  years. 


JOSEPH  NETTLETOX  STODDAED. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  167 

22Anthony,  b.  Aug.  9,  1698,  d.  Sept.  6,  1760. 

"Sarah,  b.  Apr.  1,  1680,  m.  Rev.  Samuel  Whitman,  who  graduated  at 

Harvard  in  1696  and  settled  as  minister  in  Farmington. 
^*Jolm,  b.  Feb.  17,  1682,  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1701,  for  many  years 

one   of  the  Governor's  council,  also   Chief-Justice  of  the  Court  of 

Common  Pleas,  Judge  of  Probate,  &c. 
■^^Israel,  b.  Apr.  10,  1684,  d.  a  prisoner  in  France. 
^^Rebecca,  b.  1686,  m.  Joseph  Hawley,  d.  January,  1766. 
^■^Hannah,  b.  Apr.  21,  1688,  m.  Rev.  William  Williams,  who  graduated 

at  Harvard  in  1705  and  settled  as  minister  in  Weston,  Mass. 

^^Anthony^,  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1097  and  settled  as  minister  in 
Woodbury,  wliere  he  continued  sixty  years,  m.  first,  Oct.  20,  1700,  Prudence 
Wells,  who  died  in  May,  1714 ;  second,  Jan.  31,  1715,  Mary  Sherman,  who 
died  Jan.  12,  1720.     Children  : 

2«Mary,  b.  June  19,  1702. 

^«Solomon,  b.  Oct.  12, 1703,  d.  May  13,  1727. 

^•^Eliakim,  b.  Apr.  3,  1705,  m.  Joanna  Curtiss,  d.  in  1750. 

3iElisha,  b.  Nov.  24,  1706,  m.  Rebekah  Sherman,  resided  in  Woodbury 
d.  in  1766.  ' 

^^Israel,  b.  Aug.  7,  1708,  d.  May  30,  1727. 

33John,  b.  Mar.  2,  1710. 

^^Prudence,  b.  Oct.  12,  1711,  m.  Joseph  Curtiss. 

3=^Gideon,  b.  May  27,  1714,  m.  Olive  Curtiss. 

^•^Esther,  b.  Oct.  11,  1716,  m.  Preserved  Strong. 

^''Abijah,  b.  Feb.  28,  1718,  m.  Eunice  Curtiss. 

^sElizabeth,  b.  Nov.  15,  1719,  m.  Daniel  Munn. 

^''EliaiiIM'*,  m.  Joanna  Curtiss  in  1729,  resided  in  Woodbury.     Children  : 

39 John,  b.  Jan.  26,  1730,  d.  Jan.  22,  1795. 

^'Israel,  b.  Jan.  28,  1732,  m.  Elizabeth  Reade,  d.  Aug.  8,  1794. 

^Anthony,  b.  Oct.  21,  1734,  m.  Phebe  Reade,  d.  in  1785. 

^■^Joanna,  b.  July  16,  1738,  m.  Reuben  Squares. 

"Prudence,  b.  Sept.  24,  1740,  m.  John  Marchant. 

^Eliakim,  b.  July  25,  1742,  d.  in  childhood. 

^^Seth,  b.  Dec.  2, 1744,  m.  Hannah  Noyes. 

•**^ Abigail,  b.  Aug.  2,  1747,  m.  Israel  Woodward,  d.  Dec.  18,  1703. 

^''Eliakim,  b.  Dec.  11,  1749,  d.  in  Canada. 
39John',  m.  Mary  Atwood,  resided  in  Watertown.     Children  : 

4»Samson,  b.  Oct.  25, 1752,  d.  Nov.  11,  1809. 

49Abiram,  b.  Oct.  25,  1750,  d.  Oct.  25,  1776,  in  the  revolutionary  army. 

•'^"Wells,  b.  July  1,  1759,  m.  Sarah  Hickox,  d.  in  1840. 

^iPhebe,  b.  Feb.  19,  1760,  m.  Josiah  Hickox,  d.  Sept.  25,  1827. 

52 John,  b.  July  1,  1703,  m.  Sarah  Woodward,  d.  Feb.  24,  1821. 

^^Submit,  b.  Mar.  17,  1766,  d.  Sept.  7,  1775. 


168  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

•^■•Joanna,  b.  Feb.  19,  1707,  m.  Eri  Parker,  d.  June  5, 1847. 
•'^^Mary,  b.  June  11,  1771,  m.  Randall  Judd  of  Woodbury,  d.  in  1845. 
s^Sarah,  b.  May  13,  1773,  m.  James  Williams,  d.  Dec.  20, 1809. 
'''Israel,  b.  Feb.  15,  1776,  m.  Polly  Wilson,  lived  in  Camden,  N.  Y.,  was 
Supervisor  nineteen  years,  Justice  of  the  Peace  twelve  years,  member 
of  Assembly  four  years,  and  County  Judge  eight  years,  d.  Apr.  4, 1859. 
•'«Eliakim,  b.  Aug.  10,  1779,  m.  Lois  Matthews,  d.  Feb.  28,  1860,  was  a 
Methodist  minister. 
^''Samson'^,  m.  first,  Susannah  Nettleton,  who  died  Apr.  24,  1779 ;  second, 
Amy  Goodwin,  who  died  Sept.  16,  1827,  whose  ancestors  came  in  the  May- 
flower.    He  resided  at  Watertown,  Ct.     Children  : 

59Prq4ence,  b.   Aug.   11,  1775,  ra.  James   Atwood  of  Woodbury,  d. 

Feb.  19,  1833. 
eoAbiram,  b.  Jan.  27,  1777,  d.  Nov.  26, 1855. 
''^Susannah,  b.  Mar.  26,  1779,  m.  Wheler  Atwood  of   Woodbury,  d. 

June  15,  1833. 
^^William,   b.    Sept.   29,    1781,   graduated   at  Yale  in  1804,  m.  a  Miss 

Stone,  was  a  physician,  died  in  Mobile,  Ala,,  in  1817. 
"^Goodwin,  b.  May  8,  1783,  m.  Ann  Warner,  was  a  Methodist  preacher 

and  Presiding  Elder  in  Oneida  Conference. 
^^Harvey,  b.  Apr.  14,  1785,  m.  Selima  Martin,  residence,  Waverly,  111. 
c^Anna,  b.  Aug.  17,  1788,  m.  William  Tolls,  d.  Sept.  24,  1846. 
""Samuel,  b.  Aug.  6,  1791,  m.  Pliebe  Minor,  d.  Aug.  4,  1828. 
"^Abiram'',  graduated  at  Yale  in  1800,  m.  Eunice  Clark  and  settled  in 
Humphreysville  as  physician.   He  was  representative  from   Oxford  in  the 
General  Assembly  in   1814  and  held  offices  of  public  trust  in  Derby  for 
many  years.     He  was  a  man  of  large  intelligence  and  great  energy  and  en- 
durance.    Children  : 

"^Theresa,  b.  Jan.  26,  1806,  d.  in  1814. 

'"Jonathan,  b.  Oct.  9,  1807,  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1831,  was  a 
lawyer,  and  successfully  followed  his  profession  for  many  years  in  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  was  appointed  U.  S.  District  Attorney  for  the  District 
of  Connecticut  by  President  Polk  in  the  year  1845,  which  office  he 
held  four  years ;  was  appointed  District  Attorney  for  the  county  of 
New  Haven,  1853,  and  continued  in  said  office  till  July  20,  1854 ; 
d.  April  28,  1855. 

"Susan  H.,  b.  Aug.  3, 1809,  m.  Sheldon  C.  Johnson,  M.  D.,  of  Seymour. 

"Thomas,  b.  Mar.  11,  1813,  m.  Esther  Ann  Gilbert. 

"Joseph  Nettleton,  b.  Nov.  12,  1815,  d.  Nov.  28,  1859. 

'^William,  b.  Jan.  6,  1818,  studied  law  in  New  Haven,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  till  the  time  of  his  death,  gained  many  friends  by  his 
genial  and  social  manners,  and  earned  the  reputation  of  a  thorough 
scholar  and  an  able  advocate,  d.  in  New  Haven,  Ct.,  Mar.  16,  1858. 


MAKIA  THERESA  STODDARD. 


GENEALOGY.  169 

■'^Maria  Theresa,  youngest  daughter  of  Abiram  and  Eunice  Stoddard,  b. 
June  2,  1825,  went  to  Maryland  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  to 
aid  in  caring  for  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  contributing  liberally 
of  her  ample  means  for  their  comfort  and  for  the  alleviation  of  their 
sufferings. 


■^^Thomas,  son  of  Abiram  and  Eunice  Stoddard,  graduated  at  Yale  Medi- 
cal School  in  1836,  m.  Apr.  19,  1839,  Esther  Ann  Gilbert,  b.  July  31, 1819. 
Children  : 

'•^Francis  Eunice,  born  Jan.  13,  1840,  married  Nov.  30,  1861,  Samuel 
L.  Bronson,  born  Jan.  12,  1834,  graduated  at  Yale,  1855  ;  at  the 
Law  School,  1857;  was  Judge  of  the  New  Haven  City  Court  and 
afterward  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  several  years ; 
now  practicing  law  at  New  Haven. 

Children :  (77)  Thomas  Stoddard,  (78)  Josiah  Harmar,  (79)  Mary  Esther,  (80)  Sarah  Frances, 
\  (81)  Ezekiel  Stoddard.  * 

82Sarah  G.,  b.  Apr.  6,  1842. 

^^Ezekiel,  b.  Nov.  14,  1844,  wholesale  merchant  in  New  Haven  and   a 

director  of  New  Haven  County  National  Bank ;   m.  Mary  De  Forest 

Burlock. 

Children :  (84)  Thomas  Burlock,  (85)  Esther  Ann,  (86)  Marj',  (87)  Louis  Ezekiel. 


'3 Joseph  Nettleton,  son  of  Abiram  and  Eunice  Stoddard,  ra.  Dec.  10, 
1838,  Sophia  Buddington,  b.  June  2,  1818,  resides  in  Westville.     Children : 
sswilliam  B.,  b.  Sept.  27,  1839.     Besides  in  Westville. 
^^Henry,  b.  Mar.  22,  1843.     Studied  law  in  Albany  Law  School. 
soSophia  Theresa,  b.  Mar.  9,  1845. 
siGoodwin,  b.  Apr.  2,  1847. 
92Robert  J.,  b.  Aug.  2,  1855. 
93Joseph  E.,  b.  Feb.  13, 1859. 


SAMUEL  HICKOX. 

Samuel  Hickox,  of  Waterbury,  appears  to  have  previously  resided  at 
Farmington,  died  in  1693.     Children,  with  ages  in  1694 : 

SamueP,  Hannah'-*,  Williani^^,  Thomas^",  Joseph",  m.  Ruth  Fairchild 
Nov.  3,  1697,  and  settled  in  Woodbury ;  Maryi*,  Elizabeth^^,  Stepheuii,  Ben- 
jamin^, m.  Hannah  Skeel  and  settled  in  Woodbury  ;  Bbenezer^.  The  sons 
spelled  the  name  Hickcock. 


170  HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUK. 

Reynolds  Hickox  of  Torrington,  m.   Oct.  8,  1770 ;   d.  Sept.  13,  1828. 
His  wife  d.  Sept.  18,  1832.     Children  : 

Eandall,  b.  Oct.  15,  1786 ;  d.  May  8,  1836. 

Olive,  b.  Mar.  10, 1782 ;  m.  Sheldon  Morris  of  Middlebury;  d.  in  May,  1845- 

Samuel  E.,  b.  in  Torrington,  Jan.  12,  1790  ;  d.  Mar.  14,  1861. 


Eev.  Samuel  E.,  a  local  preacher,  son  of  Eeynolds  Hickox,  removed  from 
Torrington  to  Waterbury,  then  to  Southbury,  and  in  1828  to  Seymour.  He 
married  Sarah  Osborn,  who  was  born  Mar.  28,  1789,  and  died  Jan.  26,  1868. 
Children  : 

Harriett,  b.  Sept.  19,  1810,  m.  John  Wesley  French,  d.  Oct.  16,  1837. 

Samuel,  b.  Feb.  20,  1814;  m.  1st,  Elizabeth  Spencer  Jan.  6,  1839;  who 
d.  Dec.  9,  1841,  aged  26,  leaving  one  child,  Harriett  E.;  m.  2nd,  Eliza  M^ 
White,  Nov.  9,  1854. 

Col.  John  Davis,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Davis  of  Oxford,  b.  Feb. 
2,  174|,  m.  Apr.  10,  1782,  Mehitable,  daughter  of  Eeuben  Thomas  of  New 
Haven.     Children : 

Sarah,  b.  Mar.  31,  1783,  d.  Dec.  6,  1808. 

Anson,  b.  Sept,  5,  1785,  m.  Sally  Prudden  of  Milford. 

Truman,  b.  Mar.  13,  1787,  m.  Mary  Allen  of  Woodbridge. 

John,  b.  Sept.  8,  1788,  m.  Laura  Eiggs,  Oct.  16,  1813,  d.  Aug.  8,  1848. 

Lucretia,  b.  Sept.  22,  1790,  m.  Samuel  Mallory  and  went  west. 

Mary,  b.  May  28,  1792,  m.  Abijah  Hyde  of  Oxford. 

Chary,  b.  Feb.  8,  1794,  m.  Peter  Prudden  of  Milford. 

Nabby,  b.  Dec.  21,  1795,  m.  Harvey  Osborne  of  Oxford, 

Nancy,  b.  Dec.  21, 1795,  m.  Cyrus  Humphrey  of  Oxford,  d.  Aug.  25, 1826. 

Children  : — Bernard,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Denzel  Hitchcock,  d.  in  January,  1854. 
Nancy,  m.  G.  Burton  Robinson,  d.  m  February,  1854. 

Joseph  Wheeler,  b.  Aug.  13,  1798,  m.  Henrietta  Newton  of  Woodbridge. 

Cliildren : — Jonah  N.,  m. Bassett,  moved  west. 

Dewitt,  a  lawyei',  residence  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Joseph  Burritt,  d.  Nov.  4,  1854. 

Sheldon,  b.  Sept.  3,  1800,  d.  May  30,  1813. 

Lewis,  b.  Jan.  26,  1803,  m.  Lucinda  Perkins  of  Oxford.    Children : 

Dr.  Henry,  of  Wallingford,  m. Beecher  of  Bethlehem. 

Mary,  m.  Charles  W.  Storrs  of  Seymour. 
Frank,  m. Lane  of  Oxfoid, 

Burritt,  b.  July  12,  1806,   m.  Sarah  Electa,  dau.  of  Hiram   Osborn  of 
Oxford.    Children : 

Jay,  m.  Anna  Faircliild;  Sarah,  m.  Fiederic  Cable;  and  Bernard,  all  living  in  Owego,  N.T. 

Julia  Maria,  b.  July  4, 1810,  m.  Ebenezer  Eiggs  of  Oxford,  d.  Aug.  9,1844. 
Col.  John  Davis  was  born  Sept.  27, 1755,  d.  Nov.  27,  1848,  aged  93  years. 
His  wife  was  born  Apr.  12,  1764;  d.  Dec.  27,  1852,  aged  88  years. 


GENEALOGY.  171 

Anson  Davis,  son  of  Col.  John  Davis  of  Oxford,  m.  Sept.  5,  1811,  Sally, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Prudden  of  Milford.     Children  : 

Sheldon,  b.  Jan.  1, 1813,  m.  Marietta,  dan.  of  Abel  Church. 

Sarah  Ann,  b.  Mar.  10,  1815,  m.  Luman  Chapman. 

Anson  Eiley,  b.  Mar.  30,  1818,  m.  Mary  Newton  Ailing. 

Marcus,  b.  Oct.  9,  1820,  m.  Sarah  M.  Greene. 

Delia  Maria,  b.  Oct.  25,  1822,  m.  John  F.  Coxhead  of  Poughkeepsie, 

d.  in  April,  1878. 
Harpin,  b.  Feb.  24,  1825,  m.  Mary  Chatfield  of  Chestnut  Tree  Hill. 
Homer,  b.  Oct.  15,  1827,  living  in  Nevada. 
Samuel  Prudden,  b.  Sept.  1,  1831. 
Martha   Ellen,  b.   July   11,    1834,   principal   of  St.    Catharine's   Hall, 

Augusta,  Me. 
Victoria  Sophia,  b.  Sept.  21,  1837,  m.  John  F,  Coxhead. 


John  Davis,  Jr.,  son  of  Col.  John  Davis,  m.  Laura,  daughter  of  John 
Paggs  ',  d.  Aug.  8,  1844.     Mrs.  Laura  Davis  d.  Feb.  20,  1855.     Children: 
John,  m.  Jennette,  dau.  of  Lyman  Wheeler,  d.  in  1872.    Lived  in  Oxford. 
Isaac  B.,  m.  Ann,  daughter  of  Sheldon  Tucker.     Lives  in  Hartford. 
Otis,  d.  in  1842. 
Wm.  Hart,  m.  Frances  Mallett. 


Capt.  Truman  Davis,  son  of  Col.  John  Davis,  m.  1st,  Dec.  6,  1808, 
Mary,  dau.  of  Eoger  Allen  of  Woodbridge,  who  died  Feb.  13,  1832 ;  2nd, 
Mar.  18,  1832,  Statira  Ball  of  Bethany,  who  died  Apr.  24,  1854 ;  3rd,  Oct. 
24,  1854,  Sophia  Mallory  of  Milford.  He  died  May  19,  18(58,  aged  81  years. 
Children : 

Emily,  b.  Aug.  19,  1810,  m.  Aug.  5, 1830,  C.  Lockwood  Adams,  d.  Feb. 

2,  1854.     C.  L.  Adams  d.  May  25,  1841. 
David  Allen,  b.  July  29,  1812,  d.  Mar.  20,  1847. 
Clark,  b.  Mar.  31,  1815,  m.  Jan.  23,  1842,  Mary  A.  Tofley  of  N.  Y. 
Marietta,  b.  Aug.  22,  1817,  m.  May  6,  1838,  Nathan  W.  Morgan  of  Pa., 

d.  July  24, 1855. 
An  infant,  b.  Sept.  25,  1819,  d.  Dec.  20,  1819. 
Emerette,  b.  Jan.  24,  1821,  m.  Jan.  10,  1841,  Harrison  Tomlinson,  who 

died  Nov.  25,  1855. 
John,  b.  Oct.  7,  1823,  m.  Oct.  13,  1847,  Jennette  G.  Allen. 
Lydia  Perkins,  b.  Feb.  15,   1826,  m.  Jan.  1,  1845,  John  R.  Tomlinson, 

d.  Nov.  2,  1852. 
Burr,  b.  Jan.  7,  1828,  m.  Mar.  31,  1850,  Mary  J.  Mallett. 
Lucy,  b.  Feb.  19,  1830,  m.  Nov.  22,  1848,  Hart  C.  Hubbell. 

Benjamin,  son  of  Nathan  and  Eunice  Davis,  b.  Mar.  20,  174G. 


172  HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

H  TJ  L  JL,  . 

Alfred  Hull,  a  descendant  of  Joseph  Hull,  3rd,  the  father  of  Gen. 
William  Hull  and  grandfather  of  Commodore  Isaac  Hull,  was  born  Oct.  25, 
1785,  m.  Oct.  21,  1806,  Sally,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Lum.     Children : 

John  Clark,  b.  Jan.  25,  1808,  ra.  July  25,  1830,  Sarah  Tomlinson. 

Eliza,  b.  Feb.  27,  1814,  ra.  Amos  Glover  Bassett. 

Frances,  m.  Judge  James  G.  Haswell  of  Hardinsbnrgh,  Ky.;  Anna. 

Sarah,  b.  Oct.  21,  1820,  m.  Sept.  12,  1841,  John  J.  Rider,  d.  Aug.  21^ 
1864.     Children: 

Harriett  EUzabeth,  b.  Aug.  12,  1842. 

John  Alfred,  b.  Apr.  12,  1844. 

Mary  Bennett,  b.  Jan.  7,  1846. 

Ellen  Fiances,  b.  Mar.  17,  1847. 

Cbarles  Augustus  and  Eliza.  John  J.  Rider  was  born  Jan.  20,  1820,  died  Jan.  7,  1871. 

William,  b.  July  7,  1825,  m.  Eliza,  dan.  of  Amos  Smith  of  Woodbridge. 
Residence,  New  Haven. 


John  Clark  Hull,  son  of  Alfred  and  Sally  Hull,  m.  July  25,  1830, 
Sarah,  dau.  of  David  and  Sarah  Tomlinson,  b.  Dec.  5,  1814.     Children : 
Mary,  m.  Egbert  Coggswell  of  New  Preston. 
Charles,  m.  1st,  Isora  Taylor  of  Oregon,  d.  Jan.  27,  1868;  2nd,  Lilly^ 

dau.  of  Marcus  Davis  of  Great  Hill.     Residence,  Ansonia. 
De  Witt,  m.  Juliette  Brown  of  Harwinton.     Residence,  Seymour. 


B  R.  O  ^^  I>  "W^  E  L  L  . 

Lewis  Broadwell,  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812,  m.  Betsey,  only 
daughter  of  Abiel  and  Mary  Canfield,  and  made  scythes  with  Ira  Smith  in 
a  shop  on  the  bank  of  Little  river,  opposite  where  the  auger  works  of  James 
Swan  now  stand,  using  the  first  triphammer  ever  set  up  in  the  place.  He 
died  Sept.  6,  1844,  aged  53  years.     Betsey  d.  March  10,  1821.     Children  : 

Luther,  born  in  1811,  ra. Twitchel  of  Oxford.     Residence,  Ohio. 

David  B.,  b.  in  1813,  ra.  Catharine  Schermerhorn,  d.  June  19,  1879. 

James,  b.  1815,  m.  Margaret  Skiene,  removed  to  Ohio. 

Lewis,  b.  in  1817,  ra.  Mary  A.  Lyon. 

Sarah,  b.  in  1819,  d.  in  1837,  aged  18  years. 

.Jacob,  b.  in  1821,  ra.  Susan  Henry,  removed  to  Ohio,  d.  in  1871. 


Lewis^,  son  of  Lewis  and  Betsey  Broadwell,  m.  Mary  A.  Lyon.    Children; 
Homer,  m.  Ellen  Clark  of  North  Haven.     Child : 

Alice  May,  born  in  1867,  died  in  1868. 

Mary  A.     Residence,  Fair  Haven. 


THE  MP]THODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 


In  1791,  Rev.  Jesse  Lee,  the  pioneer  of  Methodism  in  New  England,  came 
to  Derby,  and — hiring  a  bellman  to  ring  the  people  ont— he  preached  to  them 
in  the  shade  of  some  trees  in  what  is  now  known  as  Derby  Uptown,  on  the 
east  side  of  the  ]S"aiigatuck,  then  deeper  than  now,  and  navigable  to  that 
place.  The  seed  then  sown  by  the  wayside  has  brought  forth  an  hundred 
fold.  Among  the  hearers  were  John  Coe  and  Ruth,  his  wife,  who  invited 
him  to  preach  in  their  house  on  his  next  visit.  This  invitation  he  accepted 
a  few  weeks  later,  and  extended  his  work  to  Chusetown,  by  which  name  the 
settlement  at  the  Falls  of  the  ISTaugatuck  was  then  known.  From  that  time 
Derby  was  included  in  the  circuit,  which  embraced  nearly  all  of  what  now 
constitutes  the  New  Haven  an  Bridgeport  districts. 

In  1792,  Middletown  was  made  the  head  of  the  circuit,  which  embraced  a 
large  part  of  Middlesex  and  New  Haven  counties.  This  section  was  no  ex- 
ception to  the  general  persecution  of  the  new  denomination,  and  from  pulpit 
and  fireside  warnings  were  given  against  the  innovators,  but  Lee  and  his  co- 
laborers,  like  brave  men  of  God  as  they  were,  continued  to  sow  broadcast  the 
seeds  of  truth.  John  and  Ruth  Coe,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinman,  were  the 
first  fruits  of  their  labors  here,  and  soon  brought  their  infant  sons  for  baptism 
at  the  hands  of  Rev.  Jesse  Lee.  Mr.  Coe's  son  was  baptised  John  Allyn, 
and  Mr.  Hinman's  son  Jesse  Lee.  John  A.  Coe  grew  to  manhood  as  an 
earnest,  efficient  Christian,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Beacon  Falls,  where 
one  of  his  grandsons  still  resides,  and  is  one  of  the  most  honored  residents  of 
that  place,  having  been  repeatedly  elected  to  the  legislature  and  various  offi- 
ces of  trust  in  the  town. 

The  first  society  in  Derby  was  formed  in  1793,  with  John  Coe  as  leader,  and 
was  visited  by  the  venerable  Bishop  Asbury.  Those  of  the  members  who 
lived  in  Chusetown  were  first  organized  as  a  separate  society  in  1797.  The 
members  were  Jesse  Johnson,  Isaac  Baldwin,  Esther  Baldwin,  Sarah  Baldwin 
and  Eunice  Baldwin.  Daniel  Rowe  of  Derby  was  the  leader.  The  follow- 
ing names  were  soon  added  :     George  Clark,  Lucy  Hitchcock,  Silas  Johnson 


174  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

and  Olive  Johnson.  The  ministers  preached  where  they  found  open  doors, 
once  or  more  in  Mrs.  Dayton's  tavern,  the  house  now  owned  by  William  Hull, 
at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Pearl  streets,  also  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Stiles,  now 
the  residence  of  Dr.  Stoddard.  Some  years  later  they  preached  in  the  ball- 
room of  the  Moulthroup  tavern  on  the  northeast  of  Hill  and  Pearl  streets. 
The  preachers  upon  the  circuit  from  1791  to  1800  were, — 

1792,  Rev.  Richard  Swain  and  Rev.  Aaron  Hunt. 

1793,  Rev.  Joshua  Taylor  and  Rev.  Benjamin  Fisler. 

1794,  Rev.  Menzies  Raynor  and  Rev.  Daniel  Ostrander. 

1795,  Rev.  Evan  Rog'ers  and  Rev.  Joel  Ketchum. 

1796,  Rev.  Joshua  Taylor  and  Rev.  Lawrence  McOombs. 

1797,  Rev.  Michael  Coate  and  Rev.  Peter  Jayne. 

1798,  Rev.  Augustus  Jocelyn. 

1799,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Stevens. 

1800,  Rev.  James  Coleman  Rev.  Roger  Searle. 

Rev.  Jacob  Brush,  Rev.  G-eorge  Roberts,  Rev.  Jesse  Lee,  Rev.  Freeborn 
Garrettsou  and  Rev.  Sylvester  Hutchinson  served  as  elders. 

These  itinerants  were  generally  stalwart  men,  strengthened  by  daily  horse- 
back rides  and  hardened  by  exposure  to  all  extremes  of  the  weather.  Most  of 
them  were  men  of  fair  culture,  of  great  mental  strength,  of  ready  wit  and 
glowing  oratory,  of  fervid  piety,  and  of  marked  success  as  evangelists.  Many 
of  them  attained  a  good  old  age,  and  the  churches  which  they  organized  have 
grown  into  largti  and  powerful  congregations. 

For  a  long  time  the  society  continued  small,  and  encountered  much  preju- 
dice and  some  persecution.  At  one  time  while  a  meeting  was  being  held  in 
the  house  of  Isaac  Baldwin,  which  stood  on  the  flat  east  of  H.  B.  Beecher's 
augur  ftictory,  the  persecutors  went  up  on  a  ladder  and  stopped  the  top  of  the 
chimney  in  time  of  preaching,  so  that  the  smoke  drove  the  people  out  of  the 
house.  Squibs  of  powder  were  often  thrown  into  the  lire  in  time  of  worship, 
to  the  great  annoyance  of  the  people.  One  who  was  acquainted  with  th.;  sub- 
quent  life  of  many  of  these  disturbers  of  worship,  relates  that  a  curse  seemed 
to  follow  them,  and  that  most  of  them  died  in  the  prime  of  life.  The  preach- 
ers on  the  circuit  from  1801  to  1810  were, — 

1801,  Rev.  Abijah  Bachelor  and  Rev.  Lumau  Andrus. 

1802,  Rev.  Abner  Wood  and  Rev.  James  Aunis. 

1803,  Rev.  Abner  Wood  and  Rev.  Nathan  Emory. 
1801,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Washburn  and  Nathan  Emory. 
1805,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Wasburn  and  Rev.  Luman  Andrus. 
1800,  Rev.  Luman  Andrus  and  Rev.  Zalmon  Lyon. 

1807,  Rev.  Wm.  Thatcher,  Rev.  R.  Harris  and  Rev.  O.  Sykes. 

1808,  Rev.  James  M.  Smith  and  Rev.  Phineas  Rice. 

1809,  Rev.  Noble  W.  Thomas  and  Rev.  Coles  Cai-penter. 

1810,  Rev.  Oliver  Sykes  and  Rev.  Jonathan  Lyon. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  175 

The  elders  of  the  district  were,  Rev.  F.  Garrettson  in  1801-2 ;  D.  Ostran- 
der  in  1803-5;  William  Thatcher  in  180(;;  and  Joseph  Crawford  from  1807 
to  1810. 

Amone;  the  early  Methodists  living  on  Great  Hill  were  Anson  Gillette  and 
wife,  with  live  sons  and  two  daughters:  Mrs.  David  Tomlinson,  with  one  son 
and  three  daughters;  Capt.  Isaac  Bassett  and  wife,  with  one  son  and  six 
daughters  ;  and  James  Tomlinson  and  wife. 

Freeborn  Garrettson  held  the  first  (luarterly  meetmg  in  this  places  in  the  old 
Congregational  meeting-house  in  1803.  Moses  Oshorn,  a  zealous  local  preach- 
er residing  in  Southbury,  by  his  faithful  labors  in  Derby  and  vicinity  during 
four  or  five  years,  prepared  the  way  for  a  great  revival  in  1800,  when  seventy 
persons  were  converted  in  the  Neck  school-house.  Most  of  these  joined  the 
Congregational  church,  but  several  families  joined  the  M.  E.  church,  and  add- 
ed to  its  influence  in  the  town.  For  several  years  the  work  went  on  ;  now  in 
Stratford,  then  at  Humphreysville,  and  then  at  Nyumphs,  and  m  other  places. 
In  1811  the  preachers  were  Rev.  Zalmon  Lyon  and  Rev.  Jesse  Hunt ;  in 
1812,  Rev.  Aaron  Hunt  and  Rev.  Arnold  Scholefleld.  In  1813  Middletown 
circuit  was  divided,  and  Stratford  was  made  the  head  of  the  new  circuit,  and 
Rev.  pjbenezer  Washburn  and  Rev,  James  Coleman  were  the  preachers. 
Stratford,  Milford,  Derby,  Humphreysville,  Xyumphs,  Great  Hill,  Quaker's 
Farms,  George's  Hill,  Bridgewater,  Brooklield,  Newtown,  East  Village, 
Stepney  and  Trumbull,  were  included  in  the  circuit. 

In  1814,  Rev.  Xathan  Bangs  was  presiding  elder  of  the  New  Haven  Dis- 
trict, aud  Rev,  Elijah  Woolsey  and  Rev,  Henry  Ames  were  the  preachers  on 
this  circuit.  This  year,  preaching  was  divided — half  a  day  at  Humphreysville, 
half  a  day  at  Nyumplis,  and  once  a  fortnight  at  Derby  Neck,  It  was  a  re- 
vival year  at  the  Neck  and  on  Great  Hill.  The  two  brothers,  Samuel  and 
David  Durand,  and  their  wives,  were  added  to  the  little  church  in  the  little 
red  school-house  which  stood  a  Ittle  north  of  where  the  Great  Hill  church  now 
stands.  Samuel  was  a  good  singer.  In  1815,  Rev.  Elijah  Hebard  and  Rev. 
Benoni  English  were  the  preachfirs  on  this  circuit — but  Mr.  English  soon  lo- 
cated at  Humphreysville  aud  went  into  business.  This  year  Walter  French, 
a  resident  of  Humphreysville,  received  license  to  exhort,  and  afterwards  a 
license  to  preach,  and  was  very  useful  here  aud  in  other  parts  of  the  circuit. 
He  had  a  good  memory,  a  ready  utterance,  and  often  spoke  with  great  pow- 
er and  success.     He  died  in  1865,  aged  over  eighty  years. 

When  Rev,  Nathan  Bangs  was  presiding  elder,  in  1816,  he  came  and 
preached  in  the  Bell  school-house,  and  made  his  home  with  Stiles  Johnson,  on 
the  Skokorat  road,  opposite  Thomas  Gilyard's  place.  After  some  cautions  from 
careful  brother  Johnson  against  doctrinal  preaching,  the  elder  went  down  in 
the  evening  and  preached  a  free  salvation  to  a  crowded  house,  giving  Calvin- 
ism its  portion  in  due  season,  as  was  the  custom,  and  such  was  the  power  of 
his  words  on  the  congregation,  that  when  the  preacher,  in  closing,  in(iuired 


176  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

"  Who  will  have  this  salvation  ?  Let  those  who  will  seek  it  arise,"  the  whole 
congregation  stood  up  with  one  accord  and  a  revival  ensued.  In  1817  the  so- 
ciety numbered  fifty-six  members. 

The  legislature  of  the  state  authorized  the  division  of  the  shares  of  its  sur- 
plus war  tax  of  1812  among  the  religious  denominations  of  the  state ;  but  the 
Methodists  refused  their  portion  of  the  money.  At  a  quarterly  conference 
held  at  East  Village,  January  9,  1818,  Rev.  O.  Sykes  was  appointed  to  com- 
municate with  the  trustees  of  the  state  on  the  subject,  but  no  person  had 
been  authorized  to  receive  rejected  funds.  The  afflicted  brother  returned, 
still  burdened  with  unwelcome  charity.  At  the  quarterly  conference  of  August 
in  the  same  year,  held  at  Humphreysville,  Rev.  Aaron  Pierce  and  two  others 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  write  to  the  treasurer  of  the  state,  and  if  he 
could  not  receive  the  Methodist  portion  of  the  money,  to  draw  up  a  petition 
in  behalf  of  this  circuit,  to  the  General  Assembly,  for  liberty  to  return  their 
proportion  of  said  money.  Liberty  was  granted  and  the  funds  returned  to  the 
state.  The  rising  church,  though  struggling  with  crushing  difficulties,  would 
not  sacrifice  her  honest  independence  of  the  state.  The  fathers  were  fully 
committed  to  the  voluutary  principle  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel. 

An  extensive  revival  commenced  at  a  watch  meeting  in  the  old  meeting- 
house, on  New  Year's  eve  of  1818.  In  this  year  the  Congregational  Society 
conveyed  the  "meeting-house"  to  the  Methodist  Society.  (See  page  66.) 
Jesse  and  Stiles  Johnson,  sons  of  Isaac  Johnson,  who  died  in  1813,  with 
their  wives  and  many  of  their  relations  had  joined  the  Methodist  society. 
Jesse  Johnson  was  afterwards  a  local  preacher,  and  a  close  student  of  the 
Bible,  but  became  insane,  and  after  a  long  confinement  died  in  1829.  The  two 
brothers  were  buried  in  the  cemetery  in  the  rear  of  the  church.  Stiles,  who 
died  Oct.  4,  1818,  by  his  will  gave  the  land  on  which  the  cliurch  stands  to  the 
Methodist  society,  and  also  $334  in  money.  (See  page  GS.)  The  old  meet- 
ing-house was  soon  after  made  a  two-story  building,  but  no  paint  was  used 
inside  or  outside.  In  1819  the  members  of  the  church  constituted  three 
classes.  The  leaders  were  Robert  Lee,  Timothy  Hitchcock  and  Orriu  Peck^ 
the  latter  class  being  in  Woodbridgc.  The  members  of  the  class  of  Timothy 
Hitchcock  were,  Cynthia  Johnson,  widow  of  Stiles  Johnson,  Thomas  and 
Lois  Gilyard,  Jared  and  Sally  B.  Bassett,  (daughter  of  Stiles  Johnson,)  Tim- 
othy and  Urania  Hitchcock,  Anna  Davis,  widow  of  Reuben  Davis,  Bezaleel 
and  Martha  Peck,  Alva  Davis,  and  his  wife  Polly,  daughter  of  Capt.  Daniel 
Holbrook,  Hepzibah  Johnson,  daughter  of  Jesse  Johnson,  and  Sheldon  Hitch- 
cock, son  of  Timothy  Hitchcock.  The  circuit  preachers  from  1816  to  1820 
were  Rev.  Nathan  Emory,  Rev.  Arnold  Scholefield,  Rev.  Reuben  Harris, 
Rev.  Ezekiel  Canfield,  Rev.  Samuel  Bushnell,  Rev.  Aaron  Pierce,  Rev. 
Beardsley  Northrop,  Rev.  David  Miller  and  Rev.  Bela  Smith.  The  circuits 
were  large,  and  two  preachers  were  usually  appointed  to  each  circuit  each  year, 
to  alternate  at  the  difi'erent  stations, 


HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUR.  177 

The  quarterly  meetings  of  those  times  were  largely  attended  and  exceed- 
ingly interesting,  the  people  going  from  all  parts  of  the  circuit  on  Saturday, 
and  putting  up  with  the  people  iu  the  vicinity  of  the  place  where  the  meetings 
were  to  be  held,  so  as  to  be  ready  for  the  services  of  the  Sabbath.  In  the 
afternoon  they  heard  a  sermon,  after  which  came  the  quarterly  conference, 
composed  of  all  the  stewards,  class  leaders,  exhorters  and  preachers  on  the 
circuit.  The  presiding  elders  were  present  on  such  occasions  and  drew  large 
congregations,  the  people  usually  expecting  to  hear  strong  doctrinal  sermons, 
which  were  usually  very  effective.  At  one  of  these  meetings  on  Great  Hill, 
in  1820,  Rev.  E.  Washburn,  presiding  elder,  fifteen  persons  were  converted 
in  one  afternoon. 

From  1821  to  1830,  the  membership  on  the  circuit  was  much  increased  as 
the  fruit  of  revival  in  different  places.  The  preachers  were  Rev.  James 
Colman,  Rev.  Laban  Clark,  Rev.  E.  Barnett,  Rev.  John  Mxon,  Rev.  Eli 
Denniston,  Rev.  William  F.  Pease,  Rev.  Julius  Field,  Rev.  Samuel  D.  Fer- 
guson, Rev.  Valentine  Buck,  Rev.  John  Luckey,  Rev.  !N"athaniel  Kellogg, 
Rev.  Reuben  Harris,  Rev.  John  Lovejoy  and  Rev.  Laban  C.  Cheney.  The 
presiding  elders  were  Rev.  Samuel  Merwin,  Rev.  Samuel  Luckey,  Rev.  D. 
Ostrander  and  Rev.  Laban  Clark. 

In  1828  this  part  of  the  circuit  was  separated  and  called  Humphreysville 
and  Hamden.  Samuel  R.  Hickox,  a  local  preacher  from  Southbury,  moved 
into  Humphreysville  in  1828,  and  had  charge  of  a  grist  mill  on  the  falls,  keep- 
ing boarders  from  the  cotton  mill.  He  was  a  good  preacher  and  was  a  great 
help  to  the  church  in  this  place.  In  1829  Thomas  Ellis,  a  Welshman  and  a 
spinner  in  the  cotton  mill,  was  converted  and  joined  the  church  here,  of  which 
his  wife  was  already  a  member.  He  had  been  a  wild  young  man  and  a  great 
singer.  It  was  said  that  he  could  sing  all  night  without  repeating  a  song. 
But  in  two  years  after  his  conversion  he  had  forgotten  them  all.  He  was  an 
important  addition  to  the  church  on  account  of  his  musical  ability. 

In  1831  Daniel  Smith  was  appointed  to  the  circuit,  and  was  assisted  by 
William  Bates,  a  local  preacher  residing  in  Humphreysville.  In  that  year 
a  camp  meeting  was  held  in  a  woods  west  of  where  the  Catholic  church  of 
Birmingham  now  stands,  and  continued  eight  days.  On  the  Sabbath  ten  thou- 
sand people  were  supposed  to  be  present,  and  the  fruit  of  the  meeting  was 
about  one  hundred  converts.  Rev.  Sylvester  Smith,  afterwards  long  identi- 
fied with  the  interests  of  the  church,  was  present  during  the  whole  of  that  re- 
markable meeting.  In  this  year  the  churches  in  South  Britain  and  Middle- 
bury  were  built,  and  the  foundation  of  one  at  Waterbury  laid,  and  the  build- 
ing of  a  parsonage  in  Humphreysville  commenced.  Three  hundred  dollars 
worth  of  books  were  sold  on  the  circuit,  a  large  amount  of  missionary  money 
raised,  and  the  preachers'  salaries  paid  in  full.  In  April,  1832,  Sylvester 
Smith,  a  local  preacher  from  Hotchkisstowu,  now  Westville,  where  he  was 
first  licensed  in  March,  1830,  moved  into   this  village.     Rev.  Daniel  Smith 


178  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

was  continued  on  the  circuit,  and  Rev.  Robert  Travis  was  preacher  in 
charge.  The  parsonage  was  not  quite  ready  for  Mr.  T.,  but  in  a  few  days 
after  his  arrival  in  town  he  moved  into  it.  It  was  built  by  the  two  brothers 
Lane,  from  Monroe.  After  this  time  the  church  was  an  ecclesiastical  society 
under  the  statute  and  known  as  the  Methodist  society  of  Humphrey sville. 

In  1833,  Rev.  Thomas  Bainbridge  and  Rev.  Chester  W.  Turner  were  the 
preachers  on  the  circuit — Mr.  B.  occupying  the  parsonage.  Turner  was  a 
single  man,  who  afterwards  married  the  sister  of  Rev.  J.  D.  Smith,  of  the 
Episcopal  church.  Mr.  B.  was  a  good  preacher  and  a  sweet  singer.  The  next 
year  Rev.  Humphrey  Humphries  and  Rev.  John  Crawford  were  the  preachers, 
Mr.  H.  moving  into  the  parsonage.  Rev.  Josiah  Bowen  had  charge  of  the  cir- 
cuit in  1831-5.  In  the  middle  of  1836  he  moved  out  of  the  parsonage  into  a 
house  at  Derby  Neck,  where  he  remained  until  he  died  not  long  since.  On  the 
first  of  October,  183C,  Rev.  Sylvester  Smith  moved  into  the  parsonage  and 
occupied  it  four  years  at  an  annual  rent  of  fifty  dollars.  Rev.  David  Miller 
was  preacher  in  charge  two  years,  residing  at  Great  Hill,  and  closing  his  term 
of  service  in  May,  1839.  Rev.  Owen  Sykes  had  been  an  assistant  preacher 
for  several  years.  Thomas  Ellis  received  license  to  preach  in  1833,  and  did 
good  service  on  the  circuit  until  1838,  when  he  joined  the  conference  and  be- 
came a  successful  itinerant.  He  died  in  triumph,  in  May,  1873,  aged  sixty- 
eight. 

Since  1839  Birmingham  was  a  station  separate  from  us,  so  it  was  with 
Waterbury.  Middlebury  and  South  Britain  sustained  a  pastor  ;  so  that  only 
Humphreysville,  Great  Hill,  Pleasant  Vale  and  Pinesbridge  remained  in  the 
Derby  circuit. 

In  1840  and  1841  Rev.  Thomas  Sparks  was  the  preacher  in  charge,  resi- 
ding at  South  Britain,  and  Rev.  Ezra  Jagger  in  1842  and  1843,  residing  at 
Great  Hill  and  assisted  in  his  second  year  by  Rev.  M.  Blydenburgh.  L.  At- 
water,  a  student  at  Yale,  was  also  a  very  effective  assistant. 

On  Saturday,  March  19,  1842,  a  quarterly  meeting  commenced  at  South- 
ford.  Presiding  Elder  Carpenter  being  absent,  Sylvester  Smith  preached. 
Sunday  morning  was  very  pleasant,  and  after  love  feast,  it  was  found  impos- 
sible for  more  than  half  the  people  to  get  into  the  chapel.  Sparks  occupied 
the  pulpit,  and  Smith  went  below  and  took  his  stand  in  the  school-room  and 
preached  with  half  his  congregation  outdoors.  It  was  a  memorable  time.  These 
were  prosperous  years  for  the  church  at  Humphreysville,  after  a  period  of  de- 
pression. Rev.  Moses  Blydenburgh  was  pastor  in  charge  in  1844,  and  lived  on 
Great  Hill.  Mr.  B.  died  in  1848,  aged  31  years,  leaving  a  wife,  and'  one  son, 
now  a  lawyer  in  New  Haven.  The  next  two  years  Rev.  George  L.  Fuller 
had  charge  of  the  circuit,  residing  on  Great  Hill.  Three  of  his  children  were 
buried  there.  In  the  fall  of  1846  a  subscription  was  opened  for  a  new  church 
edifice,  and  Sylvester  Smith  led  with  the  sum  of  six  hundred  dollars.  The 
burning  of  the  paper  mill  of  which  he  was  half  owner,  involving  a  heavy  loss, 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  179 

did  not  abate  his  zeal ;  for,  during  the  year  he  increased  his  subscription  to 
eight  hundred  dollars.  One  brother  who  did  not  at  first  set  down  his  name, 
gave  one  hundred  dollars  ;  another  man  changed  from  twenty  to  one  hundred 
dollars,  and  a  good  woman  changed  her  subscription  from  ten  to  eighty  dol- 
lars. 

Rev.  Charles  Stearns  moved  into  the  parsonage  in  May,  1847,  and  remain- 
ed two  years  in  charge  of  this  circuit.  He  found  the  society  commencing 
the  new  church.  The  old  meeting-house  was  sold  for  one  hundred  dollars, 
and  torn  down,  and  the  new  one  built  in  the  same  place.  Jared  Bassett,  as- 
sisted by  Isaac  Bassett,  built  the  stone  work,  and  all  labored  to  the  extent  of 
their  ability,  giving  what  they  could  in  money  and  then  turning  out  and  labor- 
ing with  a  zeal  and  ardor  worthy  of  the  cause.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on 
Saturday,  June  19,  1817.  Rev.  E.  W.  Smith,  of  Birmingham,  was  the  speak- 
er. Sylvester  Smith  deposited  the  case  under  the  stone  after  announcing 
its  contents.  Rev.  Charles  Stearns,  pastor,  conducted  the  services,  and  was 
assisted  by  Rev.Wm.  B.  Curtiss,  of  the  Congregational  church.  Amos  Hine,of 
Woodbridge,  was  the  contractor  for  the  building,  except  the  stonework.  (See 
p.  74.)  The  bell,  from  Meneely's  foundry  in  Troy,  was  raised  to  its  place  in 
November.  Its  weight  was  eleven  hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  In  this  year  a 
board  of  trustees  was  first  appointed  by  the  pastor  in  charge,  and  vacancies 
were  afterwards  filled  by  the  official  board. 

The  church  was  dedicated  on  Tuesday,  January  18,  1848,  by  Bishop  Janes, 
who  preached  from  Ezra  vi,  16.  In  the  evening  he  preached  again.  The 
collections  amounted  to  $292.83.  The  whole  cost  of  the  house,  bell,  and 
furniture,  was  $5,800,  and  of  this  the  society  owed  $800.  On  the  day  of 
dedication,  the  slips  rented  for  $580,  and  the  average  amount  of  annual  rents 
in  the  first  ten  years  was  about  $550. 

All  the  elm  trees  near  the  church  were  obtained  and  set  within  a  year  after 
the  dedication,  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Sylvester  Smith,  by  his  son  Wil- 
liam E.  Smith,  who  was  killed  in  the  war,  Sept,  1,  1864.  The  first  two  in 
front  nearest  the  house  of  Mr.  Tucker,  were  set  on  the  day  of  the  presidential 
election  in  1848. 

In  May,  1849,  Rev.  Seneca  Howland  was  in  charge  of  what  in  the  next 
year  was  set  off  fi'om  Derby  as  the  town  of  Seymour.  He  remained  two 
years,  and  some  additions  were  made  to  the  church.  Twenty-three  came  for- 
word  as  seekers  at  his  first  watch  meeting.  Rev.  David  Osborn  was  pastor 
of  Seymour  and  Ansonia  one  year,  from  April  1851  to  April  1852,  and  it  was  a 
prosperous  year  in  both  places  ;  over  one  hundred  conversions  reported.  The 
second  year  the  Great  Hill  church  was  in  a  separate  charge.  His  successor 
for  two  years  was  Rufus  K.  Reynolds,  an  energetic  and  useful  man. 

Rev.  William  T.  Hill  was  the  pastor  in  1855-6  for  the  two  churches — 
Seymom-  and  Great  Hill,  In  his  first  year,  (this  being  his  first  appoint- 
ment,) there  were  sixty-seven  conversions  and  fifty  additions  to  the  church. 


180  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Fifteen  adults   were   baptized   at  one  time.      Twenty-four  of  the  converts 
were  from  the  Sunday  school. 

Rev.  Thomas  Stevenson  was  pastor  in  1857-8.  He  was  a  good  and  suc- 
cessful preacher.  Rev.  L.  P.  Perry  was  the  pastor  in  1859-60,  confining  his 
labors  to  this  village,  and  was  a  faithful  and  nseful  minister.  Albert  Booth 
was  the  pastor  in  the  conference  year  commencing  in  April,  1861. 

At  the  Conference  of  1862  George  Lansing  Taylor  was  appointed  to  Sey- 
mour, this  being  his  first  itinerant  work.  In  his  first  year  the  missionary 
collection  was  increased  fi'om  $28  to  over  $100.  In  his  second  year  the 
Society  raised  $1,200  dollars  towards  paying  off  the  church  debt,  and  there 
were  a  number  of  conversions.  He  was  an  earnest  and  fearless  defender  of 
the  "stars  and  stripes,"  and  in  those  troublous  days  spoke  boldly  for  "the 
Union,  one  and  inseparable." 

In  the  summer  of  1864,  in  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  A.  B.  Pulling,  a  festival 
was  held  in  a  car  shop  on  the  flat,  and  later  in  the  season,  another  in  the 
Messrs.  Day's  new  brick  factory  above  the  paper  mill.  The  net  proceeds  of 
the  two  were  $800,  and  the  church  was  out  of  debt.  Mr.  P.  remained  until 
the  spring  of  1866,  when  Sylvester  Smith  was  appointed  to  the  charge  for 
one  year,  and  the  church  edifice  was  painted  outside.  It  being  the  centen- 
nial year  of  American  Methodism,  Mr.  Smith  preached  eight  sermons  on 
the  subject.  Nineteen  persons  who  had  on  the  previous  year  joined  on  pro- 
bation were  received  into  full  membership.  Rev.  Joseph  Pullman  was  pastor 
in  1867-8,  and  was  eminently  successful,  receiving  sixty-five  probationers  at 
one  time  near  the  close  of  the  first  year.  Rev.  Bennett  T.  Abbott  was  pastor 
in  1809-70. 

Rev.  Joseph  Smith  was  pastor  the  next  three  years,  1871-3,  and  proved 
himself  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament.  Previous  to  1864  two  years 
was  the  limit  of  the  pastoral  term  in  the  M.  E.  Church.  In  1864  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  extended  the  limit  to  three  years.  Rev.  Joseph  Smith  was 
the  first  pastor  who  preached  in  the  Seymour  M.  E.  Church  three  consecu- 
tive years,  and  when  his  time  expired  by  limitation,  he  was  generally  beloved 
and  esteemed  by  the  members  of  the  society  for  which  he  had  labored  faith- 
fully, earnestly  and  impartially.  In  former  years  Mr.  Smith,  as  a  local 
preacher,  residing  in  Waterbury,  had  done  much  good  service  here  in  con- 
nection with  our  pastors.  E.  H.  Frisbie  and  James  Wiswel,  local  preachers 
in  New  Haven,  also  rendered  much  good  service.  Sylvester  Smith,  during 
his  forty  years  residence  here  was  a  most  active  laborer  and  liberal  giver  in 
the  church. 

Rev.  William  R.  Webster  ofiiciated  as  pastor  of  the  church  from  April, 
1874,  to  April,  1875,  laboring  with  much  zeal  wherever  there  seemed  to  be  a 
prospect  of  doing  good.  The  lot  east  of  the  church  was  purchased  of 
Edwin  Smith  for  $500  in  1870,  with  the  intention  of  building  a  parsonage 
thereon  as  soon  as  should  seem  practicable.     Mrs.  M.  A.  Sackett  canvassed 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  181 

the  society  for  funds  to  pay  for  it,  and  by  her  zealous  perseverance  succeeded 
in  collecting  the  larger  portion  of  the  amount.  The  balance  was  paid  sub- 
sequently from  funds  received  from  the  legacy  of  Mrs.  Kirtland.  In  the 
spring  of  1875  the  subject  of  building  a  parsonage  adjoining  the  church  was 
agitated  and  finally  at  an  official  meeting,  consisting  of  the  stewards,  class- 
leaders,  trustees  and  superintendent,  held  at  the  parsonage,  April  26th,  1875, 
the  pastor  presiding,  it  was  voted  to  offer  the  "Kirtland  Place"  and  the  old 
parsonage  for  sale,  preparatory  to  building  a  new  parsonage.  An  offer  being 
received  the  board  of  trustees  met  and  appointed  Warren  French  an  agent  to 
sell  the  old  parsonage  for  $2,000,  and  Lugrand  Sharpe,  Warren  French  and 
W.  C.  Sharpe  were  appointed  a  building  committee.  Plans  and  estimates 
were  obtained  and  the  contract  was  awarded  to  Thomas  Sharpe  for  $2,300. 
A  large  and  commodious  parsonage  was  erected,  the  total  cost  for  the  build- 
ing, fence,  well,  &c.,  being  $2,630,  of  which  $2,000  was  met  by  the  sale  of 
the  old  parsonage.  The  parsonage,  with  the  handsome  shade  trees  around  it, 
is  said  to  be  the  pleasantest  in  the  !N"augatuck  valley. 

In  April,  1875,  Rev.  E.  H.  Dutcher  was  sent  by  the  conference  for  the 
ensuing  year.  The  dissensions  which  seemed  at  the  time  of  his  coming  to 
be  ended,  rapidly  revived  during  his  pastorate,  and  had  a  disastrous  effect 
upon  the  interests  of  the  society.  Under  his  influence  the  annual  meetings 
of  the  society,  which  had  for  so  many  years  been  held  under  the  sanction  of 
the  laws  of  the  commonwealth,  were  discontinued,  and  a  ruling  was  made  by 
him  and  sustained  by  the  presiding  elder  that  there  was  under  the  law  of  the 
church  no  such  thing  as  a  Methodist  society,  and  that  the  separate  organiza- 
tions could  only  be  known  as  Methodist  churches.  During  his  pastorate  the 
amount  contributed  by  the  membership  for  the  missionary  cause  dwindled  to 
$13,  including  $3  interest  on  the  Gilyard  legacy.  During  the  eight  years 
previous,  when  Lugrand  Sharpe  was  collector,  the  amounts  contributed  were 
—year  commencing  in  April  of  1867,  $65.75  ;  1868,  $107.33  ;  1869,  $91.95 ; 
1870,  $158.73 ;  1871,  $61.50 ;  1872,  $68.22;  1873,  $67.00;  1874,  $61.00; 
as  shown  by  the  published  minutes  of  the  New  York  East  Conference. 

In  April,  1876,  the  conference  appointed  Rev.  Charles  A.  Tibbals,  for  the 
ensuing  conference  year.  In  December  he  very  abruptly  resigned  to  join  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  communion.  Rev.  A.  B.  Pulling,  who  was  pastor  of  the 
society  in  1864-5,  was  appointed  by  the  presiding  elder  to  till  the  vacancy 
until  the  next  session  of  the  conference,  and — notwithstanding  his  failing 
health — labored  earnestly  and  efficiently  for  the  good  of  the  society. 

The  old  pulpit  was  removed  in  the  spring  of  1876  at  the  request  of  Mr. 
Tibbals,  and  in  February,  1877,  an  elegant  black  walnut  pulpit  was  presented 
to  the  society  by  H.  B.  Beecher,  Esq.  It  was  first  occupied  Feb,  4th  by  Rev. 
Aaron  Pierce  of  East  Village,  who  was  the  pastor  of  the  church  in  1848, 
and  his  aged  form  and  hoary  locks,  white  with  the  frosts  of  eighty -nine  winters, 
as  he  preached  from  2  Tim.,  4-7,  constituted  an  occasion  long  to  be  re- 
membered. 


182  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

In  the  spring  of  1877  Rev.  J.  Vinton  became  pastor  of  the  churcli.  In 
the  following  fall,  in  connection  with  an  effort  to  advance  the  temperance 
cause,  a  revival  commenced.  Arthur  J.  Smith,  the  first  convert,  son  of  Rev. 
Joseph  Smith,  had  long  been  a  leader  among  the  young  people,  and  was  then 
instrumental  in  leading  many  of  his  old  associates  to  the  cross.  Feeling 
called  to  the  ministry  he  left  the  Record  office,  where  he  had  been  em- 
ployed, to  attend  the  Collegiate  Institute  at  Hackettstown,  N".  J.,  preparatory 
to  entering  college.  This  revival  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  about  thirty 
persons.  During  the  following  winter  there  were  several  conversions  at  Great 
Hill,  under  the  labors  of  Rev.  J.  Vmton. 

The  year  1868  was  a  notable  one  in  the  history  of  the  church.  It  was  de- 
cided to  renovate  the  church,  and  on  Sunday  morning,  June  27th,  an  appeal 
was  made  for  funds  for  the  work,  and  $225  was  quickly  pledged.  The  work 
was  soon  commenced  and  in  all  about  $900  was  raised  and  laid  out  in  fresco- 
ing the  audience  room,  repairing  and  refurnishing  the  lecture  and  class  rooms, 
repainting  the  whole  interior,  putting  on  a  new  roof,  &c.  At  a  festival  held 
adjoining  the  church  July  4th  $103  was  raised,  and  $283  was  subscribed  at 
the  re-opening  Aug.  11th,  and  the  whole  expense  of  the  improvements  was 
soon  paid.  There  were  several  conversions  during  the  yvar.  In  the  two 
years — April,  1867,  to  April,  1869,  about  fifty  united  with  the  church  on  pro- 
bation, of  whom  nearly  forty  have  been  received  into  full  membership. 

The  finances  of  the  church,  under  the  efficient  direction  of  the  pastor,  have 
been  well  kept  up  and  notwithstanding  the  extensive  outlay  there  has  been 
no  increase  of  debt.  The  contributions  of  the  church  for  regular  expenses, 
repairs,  &c.,  from  April,  1878,  to  April,  1879,  were  over  $2,000,  with  a  total 
membership  at  the  close  of  the  year  of  one  hundred  and  sixty. 

The  whole  church  property,  at  Seymour  and  Great  Hill,  is  estimated  at 
$13,000,  with  a  debt  of  only  $662,  on  the  parsonage. 

TRUSTEES. 

Oct.  31,  1818,  Stiles  Johnson,  Bezaleel  Peck,  Robert  Lees,  Thomas  Gil- 
yard  and  Timothy  Hitchcock. 

Wales  French  was  elected  a  trustee  April  2nd,  1840. 

Sylvester  Smith  was  elected  April  10th,  1843. 

Jan.  26th,  1846,  Rev.  George  L.  Fuller  appointed  trustees  as  follows  : — 
Thomas  Gilyard,  Jared  Bassett,  Merritt  Osborn,  Samuel  R.  Hickox,  Sylvester 
Smith,  Warren  French,  Burritt  Hitchcock,  William  B.  Watson  and  Wilson 
Wyant.  Apr.  3,  1846,  Lyman  Hartson  vice  Thomas  Gilyard,  resigned. 
Sheldon  Miles  vice  Wilson  Wyant,  resigned. 

1861,  Jared  Bassett,  Sylvester  Smith,  Warren  French,  Sheldon  Miles,  Henry 
W.  Benedict,  Smith  Botsford  and  William  N.  Storrs. 

Sept.,  1866,  elected  for  one  year,  Albert  W.  Lounsbury,  Sheldon  Miles 
and  Willis  Umberfield.     For  two  years,  Jared  Bassett,  Smith  Botsford  and 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  183 

Wilson  E.  Hendryx.     For  three  years,  Sylvester  Smith,  William  N.  Storrs 
and  Warren  French. 

Since  1866  three  tmstees  have  been  elected  by  ballot  annually  in  Septem- 
ber, by  the  adult  male  members  of  the  church. 

1867,  Sheldon  Miles,  Willis  Umberfield,  W.  W.  Dibble. 

1868,  Smith  Botsford,  A.  W.  Lounsbury,  C.  C.  Nugent. 

1869,  Sylvester  Smith,  Warren  French,  W.  N.  Storrs. 

1870,  Sheldon  Miles,  S.  H.  Rankin,  W.  W.  Dibble. 

1871,  W.  0.  Sharpe,  Lyman  Botsford,  T.  S.  Ladd. 

1872,  H.  B.  Beecher,  Warren  French,  W.  N.  Storrs. 

1873,  Lugrand  Sharpe,  A.  W.  Lounsbury,  William  Gilyard. 

Edwin  Smith,  elected  to  fill  vacancy  vice  Lyman  Botsford,  resigned. 

1874,  W.  C.  Sharpe,  William  B.  Johnson,  James  K.  Adams. 

T.  S.  Ladd,  elected  to  fill  vacancy  vice  William  Gilyard,  resigned. 

1875,  H.  B.  Beecher,  W.  K  StoiTs,  Sheldon  Miles. 

1876,  W.  W.  Dibble,  H.  C.  Rogers,  D.  H.  Munson. 

1877,  W.  C.  Sharpe,  James  K.  Adams,  Joseph  Hitchcock. 

1878,  H.  B.  Beecher,  W.  N.  Storrs,  Sheldon  Miles. 

Warren  French,  elected  to  fill  vacancy  vice  H.  0.  Rogers,  removed. 


THE   SUNDAY   SCHOOL. 

George  Kirtland  came  to  Seymour  in  1825,  and  in  1826  or  1827  he  started 
a  Sunday  school  with  five  children  of  his  own,  the  number  increasing  the 
first  year  to  27.  He  tried  to  establish  a  library  for  the  Sunday  school,  both 
himself  and  a  Mr.  Fisher  contributing  books  and  money.  He  kept  up  the 
school  six  or  seven  years,  when  it  was  discontinued  for  a  time. 

The  Superintendents  since  the  re-organization  of  the  school,  so  far  as  I 
have  been  able  to  learn,  are : 

1841-2,  Samuel  R.  Hickox.  1866-7,  William  N.  Storrs. 

1843-8,  Lugrand  Sharp.  1868,  Sheldon  Miles. 

1852,  John  Adams.  1869,  William  C.  Sharpe. 

1853,  Frederick  Durand.  1870-1,  William  J^.  Storrs. 

1854,  William  A.  Hughes.  1872,  William  W.  Dibble. 

1855,  William  Mallory.  1873,  Samuel  Butler. 
1856-7,  Albert  W.  Lounsbury.  1874,  Charles  N.  Blanchard. 

1858,  William  Mallory.  1875,  Samuel  Butler. 

1859,  Warren  French.  1876,  Edward  N.  Botsford. 
1860-1,  William  :N'.  Storrs.  1877,  Henry  0.  Rogers. 
1862-5,  Henry  W.  Benedict.  1878,  Samuel  Butler. 

In  1862  there  were  777  volumes  in  the  library.       1879,  GcOrge  E.  Stockwell. 

In  18(55,  851  volumes. 


KEY.  JOHN  BOWER, 

FIRST   MINISTER   AT   DERBY. 

The  first  clergyman  of  Derby  was  Rev.  John  Bower,  who  was  settled 
there  in  1672  and  died  in  1688.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College, 
class  of  1619.  He  was  a  son  of  G-eorge  Bower,  or  Bowers,  found  in  Scituate, 
Mass.  in  1637,  in  Plymouth  in  1639,  and  who  removed  to  Cambridge.  George 
lived  in  Cambridge  on  the  east  side  of  North  Avenue,  not  far  from  the  rail- 
road bridge.  There  his  wife  Barbara  died,  25th  March,  1614.  He  ni.  2°*^ 
Elizabeth  Worthington,  and  had  Jerathraeel,  b.  1650.  George  Bowers  had 
some  trouble  with  his  son  Benamuel,  for  in  May,  1652,  he  was  complained  of 
for  rending  a  deed  with  several  articles  between  them.  Yet  in  1656  he  con- 
veyed twenty  acres  in  Charleston  next  Cambridge  line  to  Benamuel.  He 
voted  several  years  but  at  the  same  court  in  1652  was  fined  for  it,  not  being 
a  sworn  freeman.  Both  ott'ences  were  complained  of  by  Thomas  Danforth, 
who  apparently  made  it  warm  for  him.  He  died  late  in  1656,  his  will  of  8th 
'Nov.  being  proved  3()th  Dec.  of  that  year,  and  his  widow  married  25th  June, 
1657,  Henry  Boutell  or  Boutwell.  He  had  two  daughters — Patience,  m. 
Humphrey  Bradstreet,  and  Silence ;  and  by  his  first  wife  two  sons,  undoubt- 
edly born  in  England.  Benamuel  of  Cambridge,  who  suffered  imprisonment, 
whipping  and  fines  as  a  quaker,  and  Rev.  John,  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  in  1649.  John  was  a  school  master  in  Plymouth,  perhaps  (says 
Savage)  the  earliest  in  the  business. 

Xew  Haven  was  early  ambitious  to  have  a  classical  school,  which  how- 
ever was  maintained  with  difficulty,  so  few  wished  to  study  "Latten." 

"8th  Nov.,  1652,  the  Governor  informed  the  Court  that  the  cause  of 
calling  this  meeting  was  about  a  school  master  to  let  them  know  what  he 
hath  done  in  it ;  lie  hath  written  a  letter  to  one  Mr.  Bower,  who  is  school 
master  at  Plymouth  and  desireth  to  come  into  these  parts  to  live." 

Dec.  20th,  1652,  the  Governor  had  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Bower, 
who  was  willing  to  come  but  could  not  until  spring  because  he  was  engaged 
in  Plymouth  until  April  and  he  wished  to  know  what  the  town  expected. 
The  town  declared  he  might  "for  the  worke  and  the  paye"  have  the  terms 
Mr.  Hanford  had.  The  terms  witli  Hanford  in  1651  were,  he  was  "to  have 
"£29  a  yeare  and  the  towne  to  pay  for  his  chamber  and  dyet,  (which  they 
"have  agreed  with  Mr.  Atwater  for^for  5s  per  week.)  That  his  paye  bee 
"goods  and  some  of  it  such  as  wherewith  he  may  buy  bookes  and  defraye 
"charges  in  his  travel.  That  he  have  libertie  once  a  yeare  to  goe  see  his 
"friends  which  was  propounded  to  be  in  harvest  time.  That  if  he  be  called 
"away  (not  to  the  same  worke)  but  some  other  employment  which  may  be 


180  HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

"for  the  honor  of  Christ  he  may  have  libertie,  and  for  this  he  will  teach  the 
"children  of  this  towne,  (having  the  benefit  of  strangers  to  himself)  after 
"they  are  entered  and  can  reade  in  ye  Testament  to  perfect  them  in  English 
"and  teache  them  their  latin  tongue  as  they  are  capable  and  to  wright." 

The  arrival  of  Mr.  Bower  is  noticed  21st  June,  1653,  and  he  boarded 
with  Thomas  Kiraberly.  His  predecessor  had  trouble  with  scholars  not  far 
enough  advanced  for  his  school,  and  May  1st,  1054,  a  complaint  was  made 
that  Mr.  Bower  was  so  employed  in  teaching  children  their  letters  that  the 
"Lattin"  suffered,  so  two  townsmen  were  deputed  to  send  such  children  home. 
3rd  April,  1000,  Mr.  Bower  informed  the  town  that  there  were  in  this  high 
school,  only  eighteen  scholars,  and  sometimes  but  six  or  eight  present,  and  he 
wanted  to  know  "whether  they  would  have  a  schoole  or  no  schoole."  This 
year  closed  his  seven  years  service.  We  hear  of  him  next  in  Guilford, where 
in  1000,  says  Smith,  he  purchased  an  estate  and  supplied  the  pulpit  for  three 
or  four  years  nntil  Mr.  Joseph  Elliot  was  settled,  which  was  in  1004.  In 
another  place  Mr.  Smith  says  John  Cotton  and  Mr.  Bower  jointly  supplied 
the  pulpit.     He  was  not  as  popular  as  Mr.  Elliot  after  him. 

In  1000  on  the  removal  of  a  part  of  the  planters  of  Branford  to  New 
Jersey,  with  their  pastor,  Mr.  Pierson,  he  engaged  Mr.  Bower  to  preach  in 
his  place,  and  himself  paid  him  to  the  end  of  that  year.  The  people  gave  a 
formal  call  to  him  Jan.  Otli,  1007,  to  become  their  pastor,  voting  to  allow  him 
for  the  next  year  forty  pounds  and  a  days  work  from  every  planter.  They 
renewed  it  year  by  year  adding  to  the  salary. 

In  May,  1071,  he  was  invited  to  settle  there  and  accepted  Dee.  3rd  of 
that  year  but  left  in  1072.  He  had  previously  meditated  removing  to  Derby, 
as  18th  April,  1071,  Derby  granted  him  twelve  acres  for  a  home.  18th 
Nov.,  1073,  the  planters  there  voted  to  build  him  a  house,  and  it  is  recorded 
next  that  the  first  year  Mr.  Bower  is  willing  to  take  what  the  inhabitants 
would  voluntarily  give,  as  they  are  at  great  expense  in  building. 

In  1081  and  again  in  1082  they  voted  him  fifty  pounds  for  a  years  salary. 
Mr.  Bower's  will  is  recorded  in  Derby  records  as  well  as  at  New  Haven.  It 
is  dated  Jan.  8th,  1084,  (1685).*     It  is  very  short,  speaking  of  him  as  being 

*A  copy  of  Mr.  Bower's  will — from  tlie  Town  Records  of  Derby — no  date  to 
the  record. 

The  last  will  and  testiment  of  Mr.  John  Bower  of  Derhy,  being  very  weak  of  body 
hut  of  perfect  understanding  and  memory,  do  leave  these  lines  as  my  last  will  and  testament. 

Impri.  My  will  is  yt  after  my  decease,  my  dearly  beloved  wife,  Bridget  Bower,  shall 
have  ye  disposal  of  my  whole  estate,  to  dispose  of  it  amongst  our  children,  as  she  shall  see 
cause,  he  desiaring  yt  ye  birthright  may  be  remembered  if  he  cary  it  well  to  his  honored 
mother,  as  ivitness  my  hand,  this  eight  day  of  j enquiry,  one  thousand,  six  hundred  eiqhty  four, 

-y-on-nHs  outran. 

The  will  no  doubt  was  written  by  another,  while  Mr.  Bower  was  sick,  and 
signed  by  him,  and  the  bad  spelling  may  be  due  to  the  scribe  or  recorder. 


ABELL  GUN. 
JOB  FRI8B1E. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  187 

very  weak  in  body  and  giving  his  wife  Bridget  the  full  disposal  of  his  estate, 
care  of  the  children,  &c.,  desiring  y*  ye  birthright,  [ie.  double  portion)  may 
be  remembered  if  he  carry  it  well  to  his  honored  mother."  He  died  14th 
June,  1687.  His  widow  continued  to  reside  in  Derby,  where  she  died  19th 
May,  1720.  Her  house  is  mentioned  in  1701,  the  pound  being  "as  you  go  to 
Mrs.  Bower's,  her  house." 

In  1676  he  joined  with  the  Rev.  Zachariah  Walker  of  Woodbury  in  a 
letter  urging  defence  of  Woodbury  and  Derby  "as  would  be  the  first  attacked." 

He  married  at  ^ew  Haven,  Bridget  Thompson,  daughter  of  Anthony 
Thonipson  of  New  Haven.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bower's  had  at  least  the  following 
children,  perhaps  more. 

Ruth,  bapt.  20th  Dec,  1657,  m.  2nd  Dec,  1671,  John  Frisbie  of  Bran- 
ford,  and  had  children— John,  23rd  May,  1676;  Edward,  21th  Jan.,  1678; 
Rebecca,  11th  Nov.,  1679 ;  Hannah,  18th  Jan.,  1681 ;  Samuel,  10th  Feb., 
1683 ;  Ruth,  6th  Dec,  1685,  d.  26th  May,  1688 ;  Joseph,  15th  Aug.,  1688. 
As  widow  and  administratrix  of  her  husband,  she  deeds  20th  Jan.,  1700,  to 
her  son  Samuel,  with  assent  of  her  son  John.  Mr.  Savage  says  she  m,  2ud, 
William  Hoadly. 

Mary,  m.  1682,  Samuel  Nichols. 

Samuel,  5rh  Nov.,  1665. 

John,  born  at  Guilford,  3rd  Dec,  1667. 

Ann,  m.  2nd  Sept.,  1703,  Francis  French  of  Derby. 

Nathaniel.  The  latter  does  not  appear  in  Savage's  Dictionary,  but 
29th  Dec,  1707,  Mrs.  Bridget  Bower  deeds  to  "my  beloved  son  Nathaniel 
Bower  of  Greenwitch,  in  the  county  of  Fairfield."  He  removed  to  East 
New  Jersey  and  in  the  grant  for  Derby  appear  the  minor  heirs  of  Nathaniel 
Bower  in  East  New  Jersey,  deceased.  He  was  Rev.  Nathaniel,  minister  of 
the  first  church  in  Greenwich  in  1700.  He  succeeded  Mr.  Wakeman  at 
Newark,  New  Jersey,  and  was  succeeded  shortly  after  Aug.,  1716,  by  Mr. 
Whittlesey  in  Newark.  He  is  beyond  all  question  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bower  of 
Rye — in  1696,  and  remaining  there  until  1700,  when  he  was  "settled"  at 
Greenwich.  The  period  of  his  stay  at  Rye  was  while  the  people  of  Rye 
"revolted"  from  New  York  to  Connecticut,  which  revolt  apparently  arose  in 
considerable  degree  at  least,  from  religious  feeling.  In  1700  the  town  ordered 
his  salary  to  be  paid  "in  specie  as  followeth,  wheat  at  five  shillings  per  bushel, 
and  all  other  provisions  pay  equivalent."     His  salary  was  fifty  pounds. 

Samuel,  born  in  1665,  m.  1st,  in  1687,  Ruth  Wooster  of  Derby, daughter 
of  Edward  Wooster  from  Milford.  He  m.  2nd,  4th  Nov.,  1691,  Lydia 
French,  daughter  of  Francis  and  sister  of  the  husband  of  Ann  Bower.  She 
was  bora  28th  Sept.,  1670.  He  was  several  times  constable,  (then  an  office 
of  high  honor),  and  was  alive  as  late  as  1708.     He  had  children  at  least 

Lydia,  born  Aug.  2ud,  1692. 

Rebeckah,  born  March  9th,  1694,  died  Dec.  7th,  1712. 


188  HISTOllY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Kezziah,  born  March  2iul,  109^. 

Miriam,  born  April  oth,  1703,  ni.  Oct.  7th,  17151,  Ephraim  Waslibon. 

Samuel,  born  Dec.  2nd,  17 — (torn  olf)  who  m,  a  wife  Sarah,  and  had  a 
a  daughter  born  in  Derby,  Jan.  8th,  1729. 

John,  born  in  1GG7,  appears  in  Derby  in  1093,  and  continued  there,  hold- 
ing various  places  of  trust.  He  was  surveyor  in  1705,  collector  in  1700, 
deputy  to  the  legislature  in  May,  1708,  dying  in  September  of  the  same  year 
and  styled  Mr.  He  is  identified  beyond  question  by  a  deed  from  his  mother 
in  1707.  It  IS  generally  said  that  he  was  minister  for  a  Avhile  in  Eye.  This 
is  a  mistake,  originating  with  JVIather  in  his  Magmilia,  who  i)ut  at  Rye  in 
1090,  Mr.  Bower,  H.  C.  (Harvard  College).  This  was  John  the  first,  but 
out  of  date.  Trumbull  in  his  history  of  Conn,  says  John  Bower  removed 
from  Derby  and  settled  at  Rye  about  1088.  Mr.  Savage  makes  it  the  Sen. 
John — but  it  appears  plainly  in  Mr.  Baird's  History  of  Rye,  p.  281,  that  the 
only  Bower  of  Rye  was  Nathaniel.  Mr.  Baird  adds  he  knows  nothing  of 
K^athaniel's  antecedents  which  we  here  set  forth. 

To  help  the  confusion  that  has  existed  as  to  the  Johns — there  was  in 
Greenwich  a  John  Bower,  neither  of  these  as  in  Vol.  IV  of  Fairfield  Pro- 
bate Records  is  his  will  1093,  who  gives  to  his  daughter-in-law  Judah 
Renolds  and  sister  Hester  Bukley  f  John  of  Greenwich  was  43  years  old  in 
1081.  There  was  also  iu  1072  a  Mr.  John  of  Oxford,  Mass.,  who  had  a  son 
in  South  Middletown,  Conn.  I  do  not  know  what  children  this  second  John 
of  Derby  had,  but  a  third  Mr.  John  m.  Nov.  22nd,  1732,  Sarah  Riggs,  died 
20th  Jan.,  173^,  and  April  18th,  1739  his  widow  married  Rev.  Mr.  Daniel 
Humphreys.     They  had  at  least  a  daughter,  Sarah,  born  Aug.  18th,  1730. 

Rev.  Daniel  Humphreys  and  his  wife  Sarah  above  named  were  parents 
of  General  David  Humphreys,  born  1752  or  1753 — from  whom  Seymour 
was  first  named  Ilumphreysville. 

Anthony  Thompson  of  New  Haven,  (the  father  of  Bridget,  wife  of  John 
Bower),  with  his  wife,  two  children  and  brothers  John  and  William  em- 
barked at  London  in  1037,  on  board  the  Hector  with  Gov.  Eaton,  Rev.  Mr. 
Davenport  and  others  of  the  New  Haven  colony,  arriving  at  Boston  June  2Gth, 
1037.  They  were  among  the  first  settlers  at  New  Haven,  where  he  signed 
the  compact,  June  1th,  1039. 

Anthony  died  March  23rd,  1047,  making  a  nuncupative  will  in  the 
presence  of  Rev.  Davenport  and  Robert  Newman,  which  was  proved  May 
27tli,  10.50.  He  left  fifteen  pounds  to  Bridget,  (daughter  of  his  first  wife), 
to  be  paid  her  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  provided  she  disposed  of  herself 
in  marriage  with  the  consent  and  approbation  of  her  mother  and  the  elders  of 
the  church  then  being.  As  she  married  a  clergyman  and  the  classical  school 
teacher  of  New  Haven,  it  is  to  be  hoped  the  widow  and  elders   were  not 

averse  to  the  match. 

Anthony  had  children,  John  and  Anthony,  when  he  came.  Bridget  was 
born  here.      He  married  2nd,  Catherine,  and  had  two  daughters   by  her  ; 


HISTOltV  OF  SEYMOUR.  189 

Hannali,  who  married  a  Staunton  ;  and  Lydia,  wlio  married  Isaac  Crittenden  • 
and  one  son,  Ebenezer,  IStli  Oct.,  1648,  wlio  was  born  some  months  after 
the  will  and  probably  posthumous. 

He  remembered  the  daughters  and  the  widow  while  she  was  his  widow. 
She  forfeited  her  share  by  marrying  Nicholas  Camp  in  1652,  but  she  was  still 
loved  by  her  step  children,  for  Anthony  gave  his  property  to  his  brother  John 
sister  Bridget,  his  three  half  sisters,  children  of  "Goodwife  Camp,"  and  his 
"mother-in-law,"  ie.  step-mother. 

William,  the  brother  of  the  first  Anthony,  died  24th  April,  168.3,  leav- 
ing neither  wife  or  children.  He  gave  property  to  his  nephews  and  neices, 
calling  them  cousins,  and  among  them  his  "beloved  cousin  Bridget  Bower." 

The  Thompsons  might  be  presumptively  from  the  neighborhood  of  many 
of  the  New  Haven  emigrants,  to-wit :  Kent,  London  and  Hertfordshire,  but 
Bridget's  brother  Et)enezer  died  in  (xuilford  in  1676  and  is  called  a  Scotch- 
man. Possibly  the  Thompsons  had  moved  from  Scotland  to  London.  An- 
thony evidently  was  respected  in  New  Haven,  for  it  appears  by  the  Colonial 
Records  that  he  was  very  often  chosen  by  the  court  as  a  committee  man  or 
an  arbitrator  in  case  of  doubt  or  trouble. 

In  March,  1643,  he  was  with  several  others  at  training  fined  ^'Gd  for 
foole  (foul)  guns."  There  were  fined  in  all,  thirty-eight  men,  so  we  judge  the 
service  was  not  much  better  than  Falstaft's  motley  company.  In  1647  it  was 
charged  that  "the  last  night  he  watched  he  fell  asleep."  The  only  effect 
seems  to  have  been  that  Richard  Osborne  who  made  the  charge,  was  made 
to  "pay  40s.  fine  to  the  town  for  his  slanderous  reproach  layed  on  the  watch- 
masters,  which  he  was  not  able  to  make  out  or  prove."  Osborne  had  also 
to  acknowledge  his  "  sinne "  in  general  court.  In  1648,  Anthony  Thomp- 
son having  deceased,  another  was  chosen  in  his  place  as  "  collector  for  the 
colledge  corne." 

His  nuncupative  will,  made  May  27,  1650,  was  not  allowed  as  a  legal 
will,  but  it  was  ordered  that  the  wife  should  administer  upon  the  estate 
"according  to  the  particulars  in  this  writing  contained,"  which  M^ould  seem 
about  as  well  as  if  it  was  a  legal  will.  This  left  out  poor  Ebenezer  as  though 
he  had  no  business  to  be  born  after  his  father  died.  Barnabas  Baldwm,  b. 
September,  1(565,  son  of  Richard,  the  "  moderator,"  of  Derby,  who  died  in- 
testate in  July  of  the  same  year,  was  similarly  punished. 

PETITION  FOR,   A  CHURCH   AT  DERBY. 

For  the  following  petition  to  the  general  court  at  Hartford  we  are  in- 
debted to  Hon.  Charles  J.  Iloadley  of  Hartford.  It  is  written  and  signed  by 
Mr.  Bower. 

To  the  Hon'^able  Gen"  Court  at  Hartford  we  humbly  crave  leave  to 
pr  sent  as  followeth  : 

We  may  truly  say  as  sometimes  said  good  Neheraiah  in  somew*  a  like 
case,  that  G*^  hath  put  into  o'^  hearts  &  y^  for  some  space  of  time  and  desirous 


190  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUE. 

we  are  all  now  &  y*  as  one  man  to  build  the  L*^  o''  G"^  an  house  &  to  end*"" 
the  enjoy™*  of  a  cch  state  according  to  y®  order  of  the  Gospell  amongst 
o'selves  in  this  place  where  divine  providence  hath  cast  us,  wch  if  the  L*^ 
shall  grant  unto  us,  we  shall  say  w*^  the  psalmist  y*  our  lives  are  fallen  in 
pleasant  places  &  y*  we  have  a  goodly  heritage,  especially  if  y*  y®  name  of  o* 
little  citty,  (if  it  shall  co'e  to  y*)  may  be  Jehovah  Sham'ah  the  L*^  is  there. 
The  causes  moving  hereunto  are 

1  Gods  com'and  1.  Hagg  8.  Go  build  the  house  wch  relates  to  Christ's 
visible  cch  so  termed :  1  Tim :  3,  15  :  The  house  of  G"^  wch  is  ye  cch  of  ye 
living  God. 

2  Christ's  com'and  :  6  Math  :  33  :  first  seek  the  kiugdo'e  of  G*^  wch  re- 
lates to  a  church  State  :  the  vissible  cch  of  Christ  on  earth  being  y''  kingdo'e 
of  he  a'  or  of  G*^^  on  earth    25  Math :  1. 

3  The  great  cont'"*  G'^  takes  to  breathe  in  y®  counsi'  of  saints  in  a  ch  state  & 
y*  above  all  other  societies   87  ps  2 :  132  ps  13  so  on :     That  is  my  rest  etc. 

4  The  promise  of  G''**  presence  w«^'  &  blessing  upo'  his  cch:  20  Exo'^  24:  87 
ps  5.  6. 

5  The  practise  of  true  beleving  ones  in  primitive  times  to  embody  yms  in  a 
cch  state  though  but  few  :  of  w*'^  y*"  N.  T.  gives  abundant  proof 

6  We  desire  to  be  under  a  cch  watch,  wch  of  all  watches  is  the  most  strict 
12  Heb  15.     Looking  diligently. 

These  Sz  such  like  consideratio's  have  put  us  upo'  our  forementioned  de- 
sires &  in  order  to  the  further  prosecution  of  y®  same,  we  did  in  the  1*^*  place 
make  our  addresses  unto  the  throne  of  grace  for  guidance  &  to  seek  of  G*^  a  right 
way  for  us  and  our  little  ones  After  this  we  sent  unto  the  churches  of  Christ 
next  adjacent  &r  we  have  (as  will  appear  by  y"^  letters)  their  consent  and  ad- 
vice to  up  and  bee  doing  in  wch  respect  we  may  set  up  o>'  Ebenezer  &  say 
hitherto  y^'  L*^  hath  helped  &  set  before  us  an  open  door  And  hereby  we  are 
the  more  embolned  according  to  o*'  bouudin  duty  humbly  to  entreat  (Hon^'^ 
fathers  of  the  Com'on wealth  &:  nourishers  of  Gods  Israel)  that  you  wil  please 
to  cast  a  favorable  aspect  upo'  these  o*'  desires  &  y*  o''  looking  w*ever  of 
obliguity  or  human  frailty  yo'  honors  may  have  espyed  or  may  now  in  these, 
wch  might  justly  impedim*,  and  give  us  leave  to  build  an  house  for  o'  God 
and  with  y"*'  leave  under  God  by  his  assistance  we  will  say  :  as  15  Exod  2  he 
is  o''  God  and  we  will  prepare  hi'  an  habitatio'  our  fathers  God  &  we  will 
exalt  hi'. 

Hon™  fathers,  if  G*^  shall  so  dispose  of  yo""  hearts  as  to  abbet,  encourage, 
assist,  protect  us  in  this  matt*'  we  wil  yet  againe  set  up  o'  Ebenezer  &  say  be- 
hold he  hath  set  before  us  an  open  door  &  no  man  can  shutt  it.  If  it  shall  be 
object'^  we  are  poor :  A.  G*^^  ordinances  will  enrich  us,  6  Math :  33 :  3.  Pro. 
9,  10  but  if  you  are  few  &  small :  we  would  answer  in  the  Lords  own  words 
4  Zach  :  10,  who  hath  dispised  the  day  of  small  things.     We  read  y*  instru- 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  101 

ments  have  been  too   maney,  never   too  few   for  G-^  to  work  by  :  &  therefore 
through  G''  we  shall  do  valliantly. 

Y"'-  hon'^  humble  supplicants  &  faithful  servants  in  the  name  of  the  rest 
of  0'^  brethe'  &  neigh  bo''^ 

Derby :  the  6th  of  May,  1678.  -A-ofi-n^oVyfe,^. 

JOHX  HULLS, 
JOSEPH  HAWKINS. 

Note.— In  the  original  m  and  other  letters  are  frequently  omitted  and  the  omission  is  indicated 
hy  a  wave  line  over  the  jtreeeding  letter.  Ko  such  type  being  avaUable,  the  omissions  have  here  been 
indicated  by  apostrophes. 

TROUBLE   WITH   INDIANS. 

In  the  first  volume  of  Cothren's  History  of  Woodburv  is  an  interesting 
letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Walker  of  Woodbury,  and  Rev.  Mr.'  Bower  of  Derby, 
relating  to  the  removal  of  inhabitants  from  their  places  on  account  of  the 
Indians  and  securing  of  these  two  plantations.  The  original  is  on  file  in  Hart- 
ford in  the  handwriting  of  Mr.  Walker  and  signed  by  both : 

"  To  ye  Honoured  Gen""  Court  convened  at  Hartford  Octob""  Vl\\\  1676 
we  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed  do  humbly  propose  as  followeth  : 

That  whereas  y''  providence  of  God  hath  so  ordered  that  by  means  of  late 
troubles  brought  npon  y^  country  we  the  inhabitants  of  Woodbury  and  Derby 
have  been  necessitated  to  remove  from  o''  dwellings  And  a  more  favorable 
aspect  of  Providence  at  y<*  present  inviting  us  to  a  return  &  y*"  necessity  of 
many  of  o''  families  in  part  inforcing  it  yet  forasmuch  as  we  cannot  be  assured 
but  ye  like  danger  may  again  arise  we  make  bold  before  such  o'  return  to  re- 
quest this  honoured  Court  to  resolve  us  in  one  important  inquiry  viz  in  case 
the  war  w*^'  y®  indians  should  be  again  renewed  what*  we  may  expect  &  trust 
to  from  y**  authority  of  this  Colony  in  order  to  o*'  protection  &  safety  ?  We 
liumbly  request  that  o'  inquiry  may  neither  be  judged  offensive  nor  con- 
cluded irrational  till  ye  following  grounds  of  it  be  considered  : 

1  First  we  cannot  be  insensible  of  o^  former  experience  viz :  that  in  a 
time  when  danger  threatened  y*^  loudest  &  o''  two  plantations  afores'^  were 
probably  in  greatest  hazzard  we  were  not  only  without  any  other  help  but  o'" 
own  for  y^  guarding  of  o''  ould  place  l)ut  o'  own  also  w''''  were  indeed  too  few 
were  taken  fi-om  us  time  after  time  being  i)ressed  from  y*"  sea-side  towns 
when  occasionally  they  came  thither  about  necessary  business  whereby  we 
had  more  proportionally  to  o^  members  from  o^  two  plantations  imployed  in  y'' 
publick  service  then  (we  suppose)  any  other  town  of  ye  Colony ;  And  as  by  y® 
means  we  were  forced  to  a  removall  so  y'  in  we  had  not  the  least  benefit  of 
any  guard  for  y"  safety  of  o""  persons  or  goods. 

2  Neither  can  we  be  insensible  how  unable  many  persons  will  bee  after 
a  second  remove  to  those  plantations  without  mine  to  y"  families  to  return 
again  to  these  okler  plantations  ;  partly  by  means  of  ye  chargeableuess  of  such 
removes  &  partly  by  means  of  what  disapointuients  we  have  already  met  with. 


V.V2  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

3  Thirdly  we  desire  ye  mutiiall  obligation  betwixt  rulers  &  subjects  may 
be  considered  viz :  y*  as  y**  latter  owe  subjection  respecting  both  ye  persons  & 
estates  ;  so  y*'  former  are  obliged  to  protect  both  according  to  y*"  best  ability 
l)roviding  that  they  may  lead  a  quiet  &  peccable  life. 

4  Let  it  be  considered ;  that  though  formerly  the  country  had  cause 
enough  because  sin  enough  to  beget  an  expectation  of  affli(;tion  yet  y*'  was 
little  or  no  expectation  y*  it  should  arise  from  such  means  before  it  did  begin  ; 
the  experience  y""  fore  of  so  unexpected  an  affliction  affords  (notwithstanding  a 
present  seeming  cessation)  ye  more  cause  to  expect  ye  like  again  sooner  or 
later  especially  so  little  of  refformation  any  where  appearing :  If  therefore 
new-begun  &  remote  plantations  may  not  in  such  hazzards  have  any  promise 
of  just  protection  y**  non-encouragin*  of  such  (as  will  endanger  their  desertion) 
so  it  will  discourage  any  other  persons  from  erecting  any  other  for  y*^  inlarge- 
ment  of  y**  Colony  &  whether  y*  will  not  be  much  to  y"  disadvantage  of  y® 
Colony  we  leave  upon  inquiry. 

5  The  secureing  of  those  two  plantations  of  Woodberry  &  Darby  will  ac- 
cording to  second  causes  be  one  of  y**  most  considerable  securities  in  a  time 
of  such  dangers  unto  y''  two  western  counties  viz,  of  New  Haven  &  Fairfield 
for  it  can  hardly  be  expected  y'^  any  strength  of  Indians  will  adventure  to  set 
upon  any  lower  plantation  till  they  have  attempted  ours  above  &  if  they  fail 
they  will   be  y*"  more  shy  of  pounding  themselves  by  coming  lower. 

6  Though  we  cannot  affirm  yet  we  are  not  without  some  reason  to  sus- 
pect (&  y*  fore  only  propound  it  as  a  conditionall  argument)  that  y*^  charges 
expended  in  other  colonies  for  garrisoning  some  of  their  out  towns  &  fetching 
oife  y®  persons  &  goods  of  some  others  will  come  upon  account  in  y®  publick 
charges  of  y*^  war  to  be  proportionably  borne  by  ye  three  Colonies  which  if  it 
be  this  Colony  will  not  be  so  much  y*^  shorter  in  y**  bill  of  expenses  because 
they  have  not  done  ye  like  &  vertually  fined  to  ye  other  Colonies  because  they 
had  not  as  extensive  &  generall  a  care  of  y''  out  plantations  y*  were  most  ex- 
posed to  danger  as  other  Colonies  had  of  theirs. 

We   humbly  request   yo*'  consideration  of  y*^  premises  &  y*  yo''  worships 
will  so  far  regard  o^  infant  plantations  as  to  afford  us  some  intimation  of  yo»" 
pleasure  concerning  this  o^  inquiry. 
Yours  in  all  due  observance 

-Soh^  ^OiA/anC.  in  ye  behalfe  of  Derby. 
ZECHARIAH  WALKER  in  ye  behalfe  of  Woodberry. 


GEi^EALOGY.  193 


CAIVFIELD. 


Thomas  Campfield  was  in  Milford  as  early  as  1646,  and  in  1668  his 
name  appears  as  proprietor  of  the  home  lot  No.  55  in  the  original  town  plot. 
In  1669  he  was  recorded  a  freeman,  and  May  13,  1669,  he  was  confirmed 
"Serjeant  of  the  Train  Band"  of  Milford.  He  was  admitted  into  the  chnrch 
at  Milford  in  1657.  In  1686  he  was  taxed  on  £154.  His  will  is  dated  Feb. 
23, 1687.  In  his  inventory,  dated  Aug.  22, 1689,  (£482,  Is., 2d.,)  are  mentioned 
his  three  married  daughters,  Sarah,  Phebe  and  Elizabeth,  his  daughter  Abigail, 
and  three  unmarried  daughters,  and  his  two  sons  as  executors.     He  married 

Phebe .     Children  :  ^Thomas,  b.  Oct.  14,  1654  ;  d.  in  1712 ;  ^Mary,  b. 

Jan.  1,  165f;  ^Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  14,  16|9;  sHj^^^^h,  b.  Nov.  20,  1667; 
«Mehitabel,  b.  July  2,  1671 ;  ^Jeremiah,  "Abigail ;  ^Sarah,  m.  Josiah  Piatt, 
Dec.  2,  1669;  and  'oPhebe. 


^Thomas,  Jr.,  son  of  Thomas  and  Phebe,  (spelled  his  name  Camfield), 
had  children :  "Rebecca,  b.  Jan.  28,  1682 ;  ^^Thomas  ;  "igrael,  b.  May  24, 
1684;  i^Abiel.  Milford  Records  of  Apr.  30,  1712,  speak  of  land  deeded  by 
Israel  and  Abiel,  sons  of  Thomas  Camfield,  late  deceased,  to  Thomas,  their 
older  brother. 


'^Abiei.^,  son  of  Thomas,  (name  spelled  Can  field,)  removed  to  Derby 
and  m.  Ruth  Washborn  Sept.  12,  1717.  The  name  occasionally  appears 
upon  record  as  Abiram.     Children  : 

15 Joseph,  b.  Oct.  1,  1719,  m.  Sarah  Stilson  Sept.  3, 1746,  d.  July  14,  1784. 
i^John,  b.  Mar.  31,  1721. 
"Abiel,  b.  May  30,  1723,  d.  Mar.  13,  1741. 

isWilliam,  b.  Oct.  29,  1725;  ra.  Hannah  Lumm,  d.  Sept.  30,  1701. 
i^Sarauel,  b.  Dec.  26,  1727,  m.  Mary  Bassett  Apr.  3, 1754. 
2" Josiah,  b.  Dec.  22,  1729,  d.  Jan.  1,  1737. 
^' David,  b.  Feb.  5,  1734,  d.  Nov.  23,  1741. 

^^Dr.  Josiah,  b.  Dec.  31,  1739,  m.  1st,  Jan.,  1,  1767,  Anne  Nichols, 
who  died  Oct.  20,  1768 ;  2nd,  Feb.  28,  1769,  Mrs.  Naomi  Davis ; 
child,  "Abigail,  b.  Sept.  9,  1770. 


194  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

AbieP  gave  to  his  son  Joseph  a  house  and  land  on  Bungay  as  appears  by 
the  deed  which  reads  as  follows : 

Received  to  Record  December  2d,  1754,  and  Recorded  iu  page  295  of  Derby  6  Book,  by  me. 

Charles  French,  Clerk. 

To  ALL  PEOPLE  TO  WHOM  THESE  PRESENTS  SHALL  COME  GREETINGS 

Kuow  ye  that  I  Abial  Caufield  of  y^^  Town  of  Derby  iu  y^  County  of  New  Haven  in 
hia  Majesties  CoUouy  of  Couuecticut  in  New-England  Do  for  y®  Pareutial  love  good  will 
and  affections  that  I  have  and  do  bear  to  wards  my  Son  Joseph  Canfield  of  s'^  Derby 
with  other  good  Causes  and  considerations  me  hereunto  moveing  :  Do  by  these  pres- 
ents Give:  Grant.  Bargain,  Alien  :  make  Over  convey  and  Coutirm  unto  to  him  y«  s** 
Joseph  Caufield  and  to  his  heirs  and  assigs  for  ever  one  certain  percell  of  Laud 
Scituate  within  y«  Town  Ship  of  Derby  above  s^.  Lying  and  being  within  that  tract 
of  Laud  called  Camps  Mortgage  :  Containing  by  Estimation  Thirty  Acres  be  it  more 
or  less  Bounded  East  aud  Westerly  ou  High  ways:  Northerly  or  y*^  Land  of  ra'^  John 
Brinsmaid  Southerly  on  ye  Land  of  Sar"'  Jonah  Smith  together  with  one  Dwelliug 
H'^use  and  orchards  thereon  Standing :  Withall  y*'  previlidges  and  Appurtenances 
there  unto  belonging  to  Have  And  to  Hold  all  y'^  above  Granted  and  Bargained  premisses 
withall  y*' privilidges  aud  Appurtenanc^^  thereof  unto  him  y*^  s'^  Joseph  Caufield"  aud 
to  his  heirs  aud  assigns  for  Ever :  to  his  aud  their  own  proper  use  &  beuifit  as  a  good 
Indefeasiable  Estate  in  Fee  Simple:  Without  any  manner  of  trouble  or  Molestation 
Given  by  me  y*^  8<i  Abial  Canfield  or  any  other  person  or  persons  in  Name  or  Steed  In 
confirmation  of  y'^  premisses  I  y"  s**  Abiall  Caufield  have  hereunto  Set  my  hand  and 
Seal  this  twenty  fourth  Day  of  June  in  y*^  Twenty  first  year  of  y"^  Reign  of  our  soverign 
Lord  George  y'=  Second  of  Great  Brittian  King  &c  A,:  D.  1847. 

ABIEL  CANFIELD 

Signed  Sealed  and  Delivered  ?  Ebenezer  Keeney 

In  presence  of  5  Abigail  Riggs  juner 

Derby  in  y"^  County  of  New  Haven  on  y*^  Day  aud  Date  above  written 
then  and  there  M'  Abill  Caufield  personly  appeared  aud  Acknoledged  y 
Above  written  Instrument  with  y^  siguiug  aud  Sealing  y"  Same  to  be  his 
own  free  act  and  Deed  before  me  Sam"  Riggs  Justice  of  Peace 

AbieP  died  in  1772  and  his  will  was  proved  at  New  Haven  in  June  of 
that  year,  John  Canfield,  executor.  In  it  he  mentions  his  grandson  Samuel, 
son  of  Dr.  Samuel  of  Derby,  deceased,  also  his  grandson  Abel,  sou  of  Wil- 
liam.    Ruth  d.  Sept.  24,  1784,  aged  87  years. 


i^JoSEPH*,   oldest  son    of  Abiel  and    Ruth,  m.  Sept.  3,    1746,   Sarah, 
daughter  of  Moses  Stilson,  b.  Apr.  23,  1726,  d.  Jan.  25,  1793.     Children  : 
2*Ruth,  b.  Feb.  7,  1748,  d.  Oct.  31,  1749. 
25Ruth,  b.  Feb.  20, 1750. 
26 Anne,  b.  Oct.  17,  1751. 

"Abiel,  b.  Apr.  6,  1753,  m.  Mary  Barlow,  d.  Dec.  6,  1812. 
28Sarah,  b.  Mar.  19,  1755. 
290harity,  b.  Feb.  1,  1758,  d.  Feb.  2,  1758. 

3» Abraham,  b.  June  20,  1759,  m.  Oct.  6,  1784,  Mabel,  dau.  of  Isaac  and 
Lois  Johnson,  b.  Nov.  27,  1766,  and  had  children ; 

31,  Etbeliuda,  b.  Fob.  12,  1786,  (32)  Urauia,  b.  Mar.  6,  1788. 

33Daniel,  b.  Mar.  21, 1761,  m.  Anna  Kurd,  d.  Dec.  25,  1818. 


GENEALOGY.  195 

^^Abiel^,  oldest  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Oanfield,  m.  Marj  Barlow  of 
Stratford  Dec.  23,  1779.     See  page  126.     Children  : 

^^Abiel,  m.  Eunice,  daughter  of  Capt.  Bradford  Steele,  removed  to  Ohio. 

35Samuel,  b.  1797,  m.  Mary  Allen,  d.  Apr.  17,  1879. 

^^Olark,  ^■^Lewis. 

^^Betsey,  m.  Lewis  Broadwell,  d.  in  1821. 

39Lockwood,  b.  1782,  d.  Feb.  18,  1803. 

Abiel  Canfield  made  many  purchases  of  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  Naugatuck  and  south 
of  Little  river,  among  which  were  the  following,  which  may  help  to  give  an  idea  of  the  "  ancient 
landmarks  " : 

May  10,  1784,  from  Theophilus  Miles,  a  piece  of  land  "  lying  at  a  place  called  Camp's  mortgage, 
containing  twenty  rods  of  land,  begining  at  the  northeast  corner  of  said  peace  of  land,  neare  to  a 
well  in  the  highway,  and  then  runiug  northwesterly  by  the  highway  ten  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones, 
and  then  runing  southerly  three  rods  to  aheap  of  stones,  and  then  runiug  easterly  ten  rods  to  a  heap 
of  stones,  and  then  runing  northerly  one  rod  to  the  first  mentioned  corner ;  bounded  north  on  high 
way,  west  and  south  and  east  on  my  own  land."  Witnessed  by  James  Riggs  and  Thomas  Clark, 
Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Dec.  6,  1790,  from  James  Pritchardof  Bethlehem,  Litchfield  co.,  for  the  consideration  of  £20, 
"  one  certaiue  peace  or  parcel  of  land  situate  in  the  Township  of  Derby,  containing  three  acres, 
be  it  more  or  less,  lying  in  Camp's  Mortgage  on  the  Little  River  Road,  said  peace  of  land  being 
part  of  the  land  owned  by  Nathaniel  Wooster,  Decst. — bounded  East  on  highway,  north  on 
Susannah  Cornishes  land,  west  on  Johnathan  Miles'  laud,  south  on  Daniel  Wooster  land."  Wit- 
nessed by  John  Davis  and  Thomas  Clark,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Aug.  22,  1791,  from  Samuel  Sanford,  for  £17,  one  piece  lying  southward  of  John  Cornishes 
house,  the  other  west  of  sd.  Cornishes  house,  commencing  at  corner  of  John  Rowe's  land,  running 
westward  44  rods  on  highway,  southward  35  rods  on  Johnathan  Miles'  land,  thence  eastward  21  rods 
on  Abiel  Canfield's  land  and  northward  9  rods  on  John  Rowe's  land  ;  witnessed  by  Simeon  Curtiss 
and  Thomas  Clark,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

July  2, 1796,  from  Jesse  Smith,  nine  rods  of  land  between  lands  of  said  Canfield  and  Smith,  wit- 
nessed by  Jesse  Baldwin  and  Levi  Tomlinson,  Justice  of  the  peace. 

Feb.  9,  1805,  from  George  Steele,  for  $500,  a  piece  of  land  bounded  northerly  and  westerly  by 
highway,  easterly  on  land  of  the  heirs  of  Isaac  Baldwin,  U  acres  with  house  and  barn  ;  and  two 
acres  bounded  southerly  by  highway  and  northerly  and  easterly  on  Johnathan  Miles'  land.  Wit- 
nesses, Philo  and  Levi  Tomlinson. 

The  same  date,  from  George  Steele,  Wm.  and  Milo  Keney,  for  $650,  one  piece  bounded  westerly 
on  highway,  southerly  on  laud  of  Abijah  Hull,  easterly  on  Naugatuck  river,  northerly  on  land  of 
heirs  of  Isaac  Baldwin  and  said  Steele,  Sj  acres  ;  and  14  acres  bounded  southerly  on  highway  and 
land  of  Leverett  Pritchard,  westerly  on  land  of  sd.  Pritchard  and  Josiah  Washborn,  northerly  on 
laud  of  Philo  Holbrook,  and  easterly  on  land  of  Johnathan  Miles. 


^^Samuel**,  son  of  Abiel  and  Mary  Canfield,  m.  Mary  Allen,  who  died 
Oct.  5  ;  1841,  aged  38  years.     Children  : 
4»Ann,  d.  Jan.  16,  1858,  aged  30  years. 
«John  M.,  d.  Apr.  14,  1858,  aged  29  years. 
«Elsie,  d.  Sept.  10,  1848,  aged  18  years. 
*^George,  d.  May  25,  1853,  aged  18  years. 
**Harriett,  m.  Henry  T.  Booth.     Children  : 

4.5,  AUda  ;  (46)  Hattle,  m.  Frank  A.  Cotter  of  Ansonia ;  (47)  Lottie  E.  and  (48)  Mai-y. 

^^Sainuel  II.,  m.  Harriett,  daughter  of  Kaymond  French,  Esq. 
^"Edwin  U. 


196  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUE. 

At  the  time  of  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain,  Samuel  Canfield  was  an 
apprentice  learning  the  trade  of  machinist  with  Elias  Gilbert.  He  was 
drafted,  and  Mr.  Gilbert  hired  a  substitute  rather  than  lose  his  assistance. 
Years  after,  in  company  with  Hiram  Upson,  he  carried  on  the  manufacture 
of  augers  in  what  are  now  James  Swan's  chisel  works,  and  afterwards  worked 
for  Dwight  and  French  and  the  Humpreysville  Manufacturing  Company 
about  twenty  years.  For  the  twenty  years  preceding  his  death  he  lived  in 
retirement  at  his  residence  near  Trinity  church.  He  died  April  17,  1879, 
aged  82  years. 

^^Daniel,^  third  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Oanfield,  ra.  Feb.  11,  1789^ 
Anna,  d.  of  Zedock  Hurd  of  Woodbury,  b.  Aug.  13,  1765.  Lived  on  Bun- 
gay, south  of  the  schoolhouse.     Children : 

^^Esther,  b.  Mar.  5,  1790,  m.  Sheldon  Kinney. 

s^Charity,  b.  Oct.  24,  1792,  d.  Oct.  1,  1793. 

•'^William,  b.  Sept.  18,  1792. 

^^Joseph,  b.  Sept.  29,  1796,  ra.  Frances  Eason. 

•'^« Julia  Ann,  b.  Apr.  10,  1799. 

^■'Almira,  b.  Dec.  5,  1801,  m.  Charles  Bradley. 

■'SSarah,  b.  Jan.  5,  1804. 

59Caroline,  b.  Sept.  26,  1806,  ra.  Treat  Botsford. 

^ojudson,  b.  April  8,  1806,  ra.  Sarah  Miles. 

"'John*,  son  of  Abiel  and  Ruth  Canfield,  ra.  1st  in  March,  1751,  Elizabeth 
Johnson,  who  died  Sept.  8,  1751 ;  2nd,  Mrs.  Martha  Judd,  Nov.  20,  1753. 
Children :  David,  b.  i^ov.  6,  1754 ;  Bette,  b.  Mar.  26,  1756  ;  Molle,  b.  June 
1,  1758 ;  Eunice,  b.  Nov.  17,  1760.  D,rb,,  Records. 


i''WiLLTAM*,  ra.  Hannah   Lumm  Mar.  6,  1774.     Children,   Abel,  b.  May 
29,  1755  ;  Hannah,  b.  May  30,  1756. 


i"Dr.  Samuel^  son  of  Abiel  and  Ruth  Canfield,  ra.  Apr.  3,  1754,  Mary 
Bassett,  and  d.  in  1766.  Children:  Samuel,  b.  July  13,  1756;  Sabra,  b. 
Feb.    15,  1758 ;  Suze,  b.    Nov.  6,   1759  ;  Seba,   b.  Jan.   2,  1762  ;    Salle  and 

Silva.  Deihy  Records. 


GENEALOGY.  197 


Edward  Riggs  settled  in  Milford  in  1640,  and  was  afterwards  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Derby.  Savage  says  Samuel  Riggs  of  Milford  m.  in  1G67  a 
daughter  of  Richard  Baldwin  and  removed  to  Derby. 


Edward  Riggs  of  Derby,  probably  a  descendant  of  Edward  of  Milford, 
and  Lois  Osborn  of  Waterbury  were  married  by  Rev.  Mr.  Mansfield  May  19, 
1759.     Children : 

Moses,  b.  Apr.  10,  1700,  m.  Susannah  Tucker. 

Edward,  b.  Jan.  24,  1762. 

David,  Thomas  and  Isaac. 


Moses  Riggs,  son  of  Edward  and  Lois,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  m. 
Susanna,  daughter  of  Samuel  Tucker.     Children : 
Sheldon,  m.  Rebecca  Lingham. 
Leman,  m.  Patty  Clark. 
Moses,  m.  Gracie  Holbrook. 
Simon, 

Thomas,  m.  Watie  G.  Smith. 
Clara,  m.  1st,  David  Johnson;  2nd,  John  Nichols. 
Susan,  m.  Ezra  Bassett. 
Harriett,  m.  Daniel  Holbrook. 
Eliza,  m.  Levi  Johnson. 
Gan'y,  m.  Sally  Clark. 


Ebenezer  Riggs,  m.  Rachel  Peck  of  Waterbury  July  5, 1733.   Children 
Rachel,  b.  May  31,  1734,  d.  May  25,  1740. 
Esther,  b.  July  24, 1736. 
Ebenezer,  b.  Nov.  17,  1738,  d.  May  29,  1740. 
Rachel,  b.  Jan.  23,  1741. 
Louis,  b.  July  25,  1743,  d.  Aug.  — ,  1751. 
Eunice,  b.  Oct.  14,  1745. 
Ebenezer,  b.  Jan.  22,  1748. 
Jeremiah,  b.  July  1,  1750. 
Joseph,  b.  Aug.  17,  1753. 


Ebenezer  Riggs  of  Oxford  m.  Julia  M.,dau.of  Col.  JohnDavis.  Children: 
Lucinda,  m.  Henry,  sou  of  Sheldon  Church  of  Seymour. 
Dewitt,  unmarried. 


198  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Homer,  m.  Mary  E.  Davis  of  New  Rochelle,  N.  Y.,  daughter  of  Capt. 

Clark  Davis,  and  granddaughter  of  Capt.  Truman  Davis.     Resides  at 

Washington,  D.  C. 
Bernice,  m.  Charles  Meiggs  of  Oxford. 
N.  Clark. 


Joseph  Riggs,  m.  Mabel  Johnson  Feb.  20,  1739.     Children 
Hannah,  b.  Dec.  21,  1740. 
John,  b.  Apr.  10,  1742. 
Joseph,  b.  July  21, 1746. 
Samuel,  b.  Nov.  21,  1750,  d.  Sept.  21,  1700. 
Mabel,  b.  May  5,  1759. 


John  Riggs,    Esq.,  son  of  Joseph  and   Mabel,  m.  Elizabeth  Hawkins. 
He  died  June  18,  1814,  and  his  wife  died  Oct.  3,  1815.     Children  : 
John,  b.  Dec.  22,  1771,  m.  Jan.  1,  1793,  Mary  Beecher. 


John  Rtggs,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth,  m.  Jan.  1,  1793,  Mary,  dau.  of 
Isaac  and  Hannah  Beecher.     Children : 

Maria,  b.  May  7,  1793,  d.  June  4,  1813. 

Laura,  b.  May  7,  1795,  m.  John  Davis  Oct.  16,  1813,  d.  in  1854. 
Mary,  b.  Mar.  13, 1798,m.  John  S.Moshier,  Oct.  27, 1816,  d.  Feb. 9,1877. 
John  H.,  b.  Jan.  6,  1801,  d.  Oct.  10,  1805. 

Lucinda,  b.  May  20, 1804,  m.  Warren  French,  Nov.  21, 1823;  d.  |  20,  '76. 
Thirza,  b.  Oct.  26,  1807,  m.  1st,  John  Humphrey,  2nd,  Joshua  Kendall. 
-   John,  b.  Oct.  25,  1811,  d.  Nov.  14,  1855. 

Harpin,  b.  Dec.  9,  1813,  m.  Harriett  Upson  May  17,  1840. 
Henry,  b.  Jan.  15,  1816,  m.  Mary  Ann  Bradley,  d.  in  1864. 
John  m.  2nd,  Mar.  6,  1829,  Betsey  Hawkins,  b.  Apr.  26,  1786,  d.  July 
18,  1849. 


Harpin  Riggs,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth,  m.  Harriett,  dau.  of  Hiram 
and  Sarah  Upson  May  17,  1840.     Children  : 

John  H.,  b.  Apr.  5,  1841,  ra.  Adella  Kennedy  May  17, 1866.    Children  : 

Alice  Louisa,  Lizzie  Atwood,  John  Harpin. 

Royal  B.,  b.  Oct.  6,  1844,  m.  Mary  Dunn. 

Hiram  U.,  b.  Dec.  20,  1846,  d.  July  4,  1852. 

Louiza  B.,  b.  Sept.  4,  1849,  m.  Norman  Sperry  Nov.  24,  1869. 

Sarah  M.,  b.  June  5,  1852,  m.  Geo.  A.  James  May  26, 1875.     Child: 

Florence  H. 

Harriett,  b.  Apr.  2, 1856,  m.  Joseph  G.  Redshaw  of  Ansonia  Sept.  18,  '78. 
Mary  B.,b.  Feb.  4, 1859,  m.  Gilbert  E.Osborne  of  New  Haven,  Nov.  7, '78. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR.  199 

GMLLETTE. 

Capt.  Gillette  was  taken  by  the  British  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution 
as  he  was  returning  with  a  valuable  cargo  after  an  absence  of  four  or  five 
years.  His  vessel  and  cargo  were  held  by  the  enemy,  but  he  was  after  a  time 
released. 

Anson,  son  of  Capt.  Gillette,  b.  Feb.  3,  1773,  m.  1st,  Oct.  11,  1795, 
Sarah  Hull,  b.  Jan.,  1769,  d.  Aug.  28,  1800 ;  2nd,  Mar.  10,  1801,  Betsey 
Mansfield,  b.  Nov.  30,  1777.     Children: 

David,  b.  Dec.  16,  1796,  d.  in  Golconda,  111.,  in  1822. 

William,  b.  Aug.  16,  1798,  d.  Sept.  11,  1803. 

Sally,  b.  Dec.  23,  1801,  m.  Judson  English,  Mar.  23,  1828. 

William,  b.  July  31,  1804,  m.  Amaritta  Johnson. 

Isaac,  b.  Dec.  7,  1805,  m.  Harriett  Hurd,  d.  May  22,  1833. 

Eli,  b.June  1,  1810,  m.  Eliza  Bassett. 

Lucius,  b.  June  11,  1812,  d.  Nov.  — ,  1878. 

Philo,  b.  Sept.  30,  1811,  m.  Mary  Bassett. 

Mary,  b.  Dec.  23,  1816,  d.  May  26,  1817. 

Charles,  b.  May  15,  1818,  d.  Mar.  13,  1819. 

Mary,  b.  Sept.  8,  1820,  m.  Albert  J.  Downs  of  Squantuck. 

Betsey,  b.  Apr.  8,  1823,  m.  Abner  White,  moved  to  Bradford  co..  Pa., 
d.  Mar.  8, 1848. 


Eli  Gillette,  son  of  Anson  and  Sarah,  m.  Eliza,  dau.  of  Ezra  L.  Bassett 
of  Oxford.     Children  : 

Emily,  m.  F.  M.  demons.     Children  : 

Beitha,  m.  Apr.  20,  1879,  Walter  W.  RadcUffe  of  Oxford  ;  Arthur  F.  and  Walter. 

Wilbur  F.,  m.  Amelia  Rice.     Residence,  New  Haven. 
Sarah  A.,  m.  Edwin  W.  Clark  of  Derby. 
Lillie  M., 
Augusta,  d. 


Ephraim  Gillette,  m.  Pervis .    Children  : 

Freelove,  b.  Aug.  10,  1729. 
Mary,  b.  Mar.  10,  1726-7. 
Joseph  and) 
Benjamin,    )  *=>     ' 

Philo  Gillette   of  Rocker's  Hill,   m.  Mary,   dau.   of   Ezra  Bassett. 
Children : 

Martha,  m.  David  Hawley  of  Oxford.     Child,  Cliftbrd. 
Dexter,  m.  Emaretta  Sperry.     Child,  Walter. 


200  niSTOKY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


JOHTVf^^OlV. 


Petek  Johnson^  of  Fairfield,  had  three  sons. 

Moses,  with  his  wife  Mary,  removed  to  Woodbury,  and   died   Oct.  30, 

1713,  aged  62. 
Ebenezer  m.  Elizabetli  Wooster  and  removed  to  Derby. 
John,  d.  in  1059. 

Col.  Ebenezer  Johnson^  m.  Nov.  23,  1071,  Elizabeth,  dan.  of  Edwin 
Wooster  ;  removed  to  Derby  in  1070.     Children  : 
Elizabeth,  b.  in  1672. 
Eunice,  b.  Aug.  22,  1078. 
Hannah,  b.  Dec.  0, 1080. 
Peter,  b.  Oct.  9,  1084. 
Ebenezer,  b.  Feb.  22,  1080. 
Israel,  b.  Apr.  13,  1089. 
Ebenezer,  Sr.,  was  a  freeman  in  1678,  long  one  of  the  chief  men  of  Derby, 
and  its  re})resentative  to  the  General  Assembly  in  1685.     His  name  is  recorded 
in  the  list  of  the  proprietors  of  Derby  in  1717.     Among  the  many  purchases 
from  the  Indians  made  by  him  was  one  April   15,  1700,  recorded  in  D.  E., 
Book  1,  p.  52,  from  Oockupatain  and  Ahuntaway,  of  "  a  certain  quantity  of 
land  at  Rimmon,  bounded  southward  with  y*^"  little  River,  Eastward  &  north- 
Avard  with  David  Wooster  his  land  &  ye  afors'^  Captaine  &  Ensigne  their  land, 
Naucatug  River  Westward,  &  Northward  with  Tobie  y*^  Indian's  purchase." 

On  the  18th  of  April,  1704,  he  purchased  from  James  Howd  "  a  certain 
parcell  of  upland  lying  &  being  easterly  of  Road  that  goeth  to  Woodbury 
against  y^  land  called  Quakers  Farme,  bounded  Northerly  with  a  splitt  Rocke 
&  stones  in  ye  cleft  thereoff,  easterly  with  a  white  oake  tree,  westerly  with  a 
chestnut  tree,  southerly  with  a  chestnut  tree,  eighty  rods  long  on  each  side,  62 
rods  wide  att  each  end,  containing  31  acres  more  or  lesse.''  D.  R.,  Book  l,p.80. 
In  D.  R.,  Vol.  3,  p.  43,  is  a  record  of  a  sale  to  Ebenezer  Johnson  in  1709, 
on  account  of  a  squaw,  of  land  extending  from  the  Naugatuck  river  east  to 
Milford  bounds,  and  from  Beacon  Hill  Brook  to  Lebanon  Brook. 


Lieut.  Ebenezer  Johnson^,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Elizabeth,  in.  Hannah 
,  d.  in  1751.     Children  : 

Benajah,  b.  in  1704 ;  d.  Apr.  13,  1763. 

Timothy,  ra.  Abigail  Brewster,  Feb.  21,  1725.  They  had  but  one  son, 
I'^Alexander,  b.  in  1730,  d.  in  Sept.,  1817. 

m.  John  Riggs. 

Ann  m.  Samuel  Hitchcock. 

Sarah  m.  James  Wheeler,  May  19,  1736. 


GENEALOGY.  201 

Benajah  Johnson'*,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Elizabeth,  ra.  Oct.  10,  1728, 
Mrs.  Sara  (Brewster)  Hawkins,  who  diet!  May  7, 1763,  aged  72  years.  Children: 
Isaac,  b.  in  1735,  m.  Lois  Hopkins,  d.  Apr.  10,  1813. 
Zeviah,  b.  in  1739,  m.  Abiel  Fairchild,  d.  May  29,  1816. 

Benajah  Johnson  bought  of  Johnathan  Lum  for  £200  a  tract  of  land  "  lying 
in  the  North  purchase  near  Bladens  Brook,  so  called,  containing  ninety-six 
acres,  be  it  more  or  be  it  less,  bounded  northward  on  the  land  of  Sam"  Tom- 
linson,  eastwardly  on  common  land,  southwardly  on  land  of  Daniel  Wooster, 
late  of  Derby,  deceast,  westerly  on  highway."  Dated  "y"  seventeenth  day  of 
December,  in  the  ninth  year  of  the  Keign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  George  y® 
Second  of  Great  Britain,  King,  &  A.  D.  1735."    D.  R.,  Vol.  4,  p.  157. 


Isaac  Johnson,  son  of  Benajah,  m.  Lois  Hopkins,  who  was  born  in  1738, 
and  died  Oct.  16,  1814,  aged  76  years.  Isaac  d.  Apr.  10,  1813,  aged  78 
years.     Children : 

Susannah,  b.  Nov.  24,  1763. 

Ruth,  b.  Mar.  31,  1765. 

Mabel,  b.  Nov.  27,  1766. 

Jesse,  b.  in  1773,  d.  Oct.  21,  1829. 

Stiles,  b.  in  1782,  d.  Oct.  4,  1818. 


Alexander  Johnson^,  son  of  Timothy  and  Abigail,  m.  Hannah 

He  lived  at  Pinesbridge,  in  the  house  still  standing  a  little  north  of  the  house 
of  William  Gillette,  and  gave  the  land  for  the  Pinesbridge  cemetery.  Children : 

Timothy,  b.  Jan.  21,  1766,  d.  Jan.  21,  1836. 

David,  Elijah,  Nathaniel,  Charles. 

Abigail  Brewster  m.  Moses  Clark  of  Nyumphs. 

Ruth,  b.  in  1693,  m.  Thomas  Leavenworth. 


ASAHEL  Johnson  m.  Lois Children: 

Lois,  b.  Mar.  11,  1766. 
Elisha,  b.  Oct.  27,  1767. 

Gideon  Johnson,  son  of  Jeremiah,  m.  Lydia  Beecher  of  New  Haven, 
Mar.  24,  1749. 

A  sister  of  Gideon  m.  Thaddeus  Baldwin  of  Woodbridge. 


Ebenezer  Beecher  Johnson,  b.  Nov.  24,  1763,  m.  May  25,  1785, 
Hannah  P.  Clark,  b.  Aug.  13,  1766.     Children : 
GaiTy,  b.  Nov.  5,  1792,  m.  Harriett  Hotchkiss. 
Chary,  b.  Jan.  27,  1795,  ra.  James  Downs  of  Monroe,  Oct.  14,  1815. 

Chililreu,  Clark  B.,  b.  Oct.  3,  1816;  Chary  Ann,  b.  June  16,  1818 ;  Jame.s  B.,  b.  Feb.  21,  1822. 


202  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUE. 

Hannah  Betsey,  b.  Mar.  23,  1802,  m.  June  15,  1820,  David  Beach,  d. 

Oct.  9,  1822.     Child,  Hannah  B. 
Ebenezer  B.  Johnson  d.  Sept.  17, 1846.  His  wife  Hannah  d.  July  24,1847. 


Garry,  son  of  Ebenezer  B.  and  Hannah  P.  Johnson,  ra.  May  1,  1817, 
Han-iett  Hotchkiss,  b.  Mar.  29,  1798.     Children : 

Garry  B.,  b.  Apr.  9,  181V,  m.  Huldah  Dolittle.     Residence,  Bethany. 

David,  b.  Mar.  11,  1819,  m.  Ruth  Ann  Scott.    Residence,  Seymour. 

Mary  Ann,  b.  Nov.  7,  1821,  m.  Robert  Hodge. 

Andrew,  b.  Oct.  5,  1823,  m.  Elizabeth  Davis. 

Betsey,  b.  Oct.  21,  1825,  m.  John  Scott. 

Harvey,  b.  Dec.  17, 1827. 

Clark,  b.  May  4,  1830,  m.  Mrs.  Eliza  Snell. 

Albert,  b.  Oct.  17,  1833,  m.  Eliza  J.  Tuttle,  residence  Ansonia. 

Noyes,  b.  in  1836,  m.  Julia 

Harriett  E.,  b.  Oct.  1839,  m.  Geo.  G.  Lewis.     Residence,  Shelton 
Martha  A.,  m.  Fred  Neuschler.     Residence.  Ansonia. 


Israel  Johnson,  m.  Elizabeth  Wakling  May  28, 1740.    Children : 
Charles,  d.  Oct.  28,  1763,  aged  22  years. 
Elijah,  d.  Nov.  11,  1763,  aged  18  years. 
Elizabeth,  d.  Nov.  15,  1763,  aged  2  years. 


Rev.  Jesse  Johnson,  son  of  Isaac  and  Lois,  m.  Hepzebath ,  d. 

Oct.  21,  1829.     Hepzebath  d.  Apr.  13,  1824.     Children : 
Sally  B.,  b.  Sept.  6,  1797,  m.  Jared  Bassett. 
Isaac,  b.  Apr.  2, 1799. 
Jesse,  Jr.,  b.  Mar.  28,  1801. 
Hepzibah,  b.  Jan.  28,  1803. 
Harry,  b.  Mar.  30, 1805. 
Sally,  b.  July  12,  1807. 
Lois  Emily,  b.  Feb.  24, 1810. 
Stiles,  b.  May  14,  1813.    D.  R.^'^^^  p.  433. 


Hezekiah  Johnson  m.  Rebecca  Johnson  Dec.  12, 1784.    Children ; 
Elizabeth,  b.  Nov.  26,  1786. 
Newel,  b.  May  22,  1789,  d.  in  Westville  June  11,  1879. 


Ebenezer  Johnson,  b.  in  1761,  d.  Sept.  25,  1792.    Buried  in  the 
Cemetery  adjoining  the  M.  E.  Church. 


^  GENEALOGY.  203 

Gideon  Johnson,  son  of  Ebenezer,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Dr.  Crittenden  of 
New  Haven,  m.  in  1835,  aged  86  years.  His  house  stood  in  the  angle  of  the 
road  where  Day  and  Pearl  streets  meet.     Died  in  1835,  aged  36.     Children : 

Sheldon  Crittenden,  m.  Sixsan  H.  Stoddard. 

Hopie,  m.  Henry  L.  Noble,  d.  in  Cleveland,  O.,  In  1869. 


Sheldon  C.  Johnson,  son  of  Gideon,  m.  May  19,  1828,  Susan  H.,  dau. 
of  Abiram  and  Eunice  Stoddard.     Residence,  Seymour,  Ct.     Children : 

Charles  Napoleon,  born  March  4,  1829.  Graduated  in  Yale  College, 
1857.  Studied  law  in  Tolland  with  Judge  Waldo,  and  engaged  in 
practice  in  New  Haven  in  1857,  died  Nov.  12,  1867. 

Henry,  born  Nov.  10,  1830,  married  Oct.  10,  1853,  Ellen  E.  Botsford, 
who  died  July  21,  1861.  He  resided  in  Seymour,  Conn.,  till  1861, 
when  he  removed  to  New  Haven.  Is  a  merchant.  He  represented 
the  town  of  Seymour  in  the  Legislature  in  1857,  was  one  of  the 
committee  to  locate  the  new  county  jail  at  New  Haven,  and  was  ap- 
pointed on  other  important  trusts  while  a  member  of  the  Assembly. 

Oscar,  born  Jan.  10,  1833,  died  Oct.  17,  1833. 

Oscar  F.,  born  March  13,  1834,  died  Nov.  29,  1836. 

Oscar  Eugene,  born  Nov.  28,  1836.  Removed  to  San  Francisco  in  1862. 

Josephine  W.,  born  Oct.  10,  1838,  married  April  9,  1863,  Gustavus 
R.  Elliot,  Esq.,  a  lawyer  in  New  Haven. 

Harold  St.  Clair,  born  Jan.  29,  1841. 

Louis  Le  Grand,  born  Feb.  18,  1843,  died  May  14,  1843. 

Susan  Stoddard  Clark,  born  Sept.  15,  1844. 

Sarah  Crittenden,  born  Sept.  20,  1851,  m.  John  T.  Forsey. 


STEELE. 

John  Steele',  b.  in  Essex  co.,  Eng.,  appears  first  on  the  records  at 
Dorchester  in  1631,  only  ten  years  after  the  amval  of  the  Mayflower.  He 
was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Cambridge  in  1632,  as  were  also  George  and 
Henry  Steele.  In  1635  he  led  a  baud  of  emigrants  through  the  then  pathless 
wilderness  to  the  bank  of  the  Connecticut  river,  where  they  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  the  city  of  Hartford.  For  twenty -three  years  he  represented  the  new 
settlement  in  the  Colony  Court  and  for  twenty  years  he  was  the  recorder  of 
the  town  of  Hartford.  His  last  years  were  spent  in  Farmington,  where  he 
died  Nov.  25,  1665.  He  m.  1st,  Rachel,  wlio  died -in  1653;  2ud,  Mercy 
Seamer,  who  died  in  1665.     He  had  eight  cliildren,  among  whom  was 


204  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

John  Steele^,  m.  Mercy  Warner  in  1645,  and  d.  in  16o|.  They  had 
six  children,  among  whom  was 

Samuel  Steele^,  b.  Mar.  16,  1652,  lived  in  Hartford,  m.  Sept.,  1680, 
Mercy,  dau.  of  Major  Wm.  Bradford.  She  died  in  1720.  He  died  in  1710, 
had  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  among  them  Thomas  and  Lieut.  John. 

Thomas  Steele^,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mercy,  b.  Sept.  9,  1681,  m.  May 
10,  1709,  Susannah  Webster,  who  d.  Nov.  27,  1757.  He  lived  in  West 
Hartford,  had  eight  children,  died  in  1757. 


Capt.  Bradford  Steele,  b.  in  1735,  m.  1st,  Mary  ,  d.  Oct. 

16,  1788,  aged  56  years ;  2nd,  Sarah  Wheeler.     Capt.  Bradford  d.  Apr.  18, 
1804,  aged  69  years.     Sarah  died  May  13,  1826,  aged  80  years. 


Dea.  Bradford  Steele,  son  of  Capt.  Bradford,  m.  Mar.  9,  1785,  Ruth, 
dau.  of  Simeon  Wheeler.     Children  : 

Edmund,  b.  Apr.  4,  1788,  m.  Anna  Tucker,  d.  Apr.  8,  1840. 
Sally,  b.  May  7,  1791,  ra.  Chester  Jones  Nov.  20,  1808.     Children: 

Susan  Minerva,  b.  in  Aug.  1809,  m.  WUliam  Brewster  of  Erie,  Pa. 

Sarah  Maria,  d.  Nov.  18,  1877. 

Mary  Ann,  b.  in  Augu.st,  1811,  m.  Clark  McSparren  of  Erie,  Pa. 

Julia  Malinda. 

Ruth  Emmeline,  m.  W.  C^.  CuiTy  of  Erie,  Pa.  ^ 

Chester  Bradford,  ni.  Caroline  Smith,  Uvea  in  East  Saginaw. 

Louisa,  m.  Dr.  Wm.  Magill  of  Erie,  Pa. 

Ashbel,  b.  Aug.  8,  1793,  d.  Sept.  23,  1794. 

William,  b.  Feb.  14,  1798,  m.  Betsey  Northrop  Nov.  1,  1819 ;  d.  Nov. 
24,1874.     Children: 

John,  Truman,  Walter  (living  in  Ansonia),  George,  Mary. 

Burr,  b.  June  7, 1800,  m.  Betsey  Mallett  Nov.  7, 1822,  d.  Aug.  11, 1823. 

Child,  Burr  S.,  b.  Mar.  19,  1824,  d.  Sept.  4,  1844.    Betsey  d.  Apr.  7,  1824. 

Susan,  b.  Dec.  17,  1802,  d.  Oct.  11,  1804. 

Almyra,  b.  Feb.  22,  1810,  m.  Ist  John  W.  Holcomb  Nov.  23,  1832  j 
2nd,  Henry  P.  Davis  Sept.  2,  1849. 
Mrs.  Ruth  Steele  was  born  Sept.  17,  1765,  and  died  Feb.  20,  1856,  aged 
90  years  and  5  months. 

Edmund  Steele,  son  of  Dea.  Bradford  and  Ruth,  m.  Nov.  24,  1809, 
Anna,  dau.  of  Zephaniah  Tucker,  b.  Nov.  27,  1783.     Children  : 
Albert  J.,  b.  Feb.  22,  1812,  d.  Jan.  6,  1878. 
John  Burton,  b.  June  10,  1814,  d.  Aug.  22,  1854. 


Albert  J.  Steele,  son  of  Edmund  and  Anna,  m.  Feb.  11, 1835,  Julia, 
dau.  of  Chester  and  Sally  Jones,  who  died  July  29,  1863.     Children  : 
Sarah  Ann,  b.  Oct.  17,  1836. 
Susan  Maria,  b.  Mar.  28,  1840. 
Julia  Frances,  b.  May  2,  1843,  d.  Feb.  29,  1844. 


GENEALOGY.  205 

Albert  Edmund,  b.  Oct.  29,  1845,  d.  Oct.  19,  1858. 
Oriana  Louisa,  b.  July  2,  1852. 


John  Burton  Steele,  son  of  Edmund  and  Anna,  m.  May  11,  1845, 
Emmeline  A.  Stuart  of  Bridge  water,  b.  July  13,  1819.     Children  : 
Celestia,  b.  Sept.  29,  184G,  m.  Edward  B.  Bradley  Nov.  29,  1866. 
Erank  E.,  b.  Aug.  20,  1848. 


Almira  Steele,  daughter  of  Dea.  Bradford  and  Ruth,  m.  1st,  Nov.  23, 
1832,  John  W.  Holcomb,  b.  Jan.  16,  18  L2.     Children  : 

George  S.,  b.  Dec.  23,  1835,  d.  Oct.  17,  1842. 

John  W.,  b.  Nov.  2,  1843,  m.  Rhoda  L.  Langdon,  Sept.  24,  1867. 

Mary  B.,  b.  Apr.  1,  1838,  m.  Samuel  Howd,  July  4,  1871. 
Married  2nd,  Sept.  2,  1849,  Henry  P.  Davis,  b.  May  16,  1818.    Children  : 

George  Smith,  b.  May  24, 1850,  m.  Martha  M.  Cushen  Oct.  2,  1872. 

Burr  Steele,  b.  Dec.  22,  1851. 

Alice  Almira,  b.  Feb.  2,  1854,  m.  Joseph  T.  Beard  Mar.  27,  1872, 


Samuel  Bassett  m.  Sarah .    Children 

John,  b.  Nov.  14,  1751. 

Abraham,  b.  Mar.  21,  1753,  d.  Nov.  17,  1833. 

Eunice,  b.  Jan.  9,  1759. 

Sarah,  b.  Feb.  14,  1761. 


Abraham  Bassett,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah,  m.  Mary .    Lived 

on  Bungay  in  house  now  occupied  by  Robert  Healey.  Mary  Bassett  died 
Dec.  25,  1849,  aged  90  years.     Children  : 

Abram,  d.  Nov.  17, 1853. 

Samuel,  m.  1st,  Mary  Lyman  ;  2nd,  Laura  Phanton. 

Abel,  ra.  Martha  Peck,  d.  Mar.  23,  1863,  aged  78. 

Jared  m.  Sally,  d.  of  Jesse  Johnson. 

Marcus,  m.  Mary  Ann  Rogers. 

Glover,  m.  1st,  Elizabeth  Baldwin ;  2nd,  Nancy  Gilyard. 

Grace  m.  Bronson  Wheeler  of  Southbury. 

Lucinda,  d.  Oct.  8,  1878,  aged  90  years. 

Harvey, 

Abijah,  m.  Polly  Duraud. 


20G  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Glover  Bassett,  son  of  Abraham  and  Mary,  b.  Oct.  19,  1793,  m.  1st 
Oct.  5,  1820,  Elizabeth  Baldwin,  b.  Oct.  17,  1793,  d.  Oct.  1,  1838 ;  2ud, 
Oct.  21,  1839,  Nancy  Gilyard.     Children  : 

Amos,  b.  Oct.  5,1820,  m.  Keziah  H.Rowe  Sept.  ll,1845,d.  Aug.  31,1862. 

Jane,  b.  Oct.  23,  1822,  m.  Willis  Baldwm  and  d.  Sept.  8,  1849. 

Louisa,  b.  July  6,  1825,  d.  Feb.  10,  1826. 

Elizabeth  A.,  b.  Apr.  4,  1829,  d.  May  17,  1853. 

James  Harvey,  b.  Oct.  25,  1835,  d.  Nov.  22,  1872. 

William  G.,  b.  May  8,  1844,  d.  Dec.  2,  1862. 


Amos  Bassett,  son  of  Glover  and  Elizabeth,  ra.  Sept.  10,  1845,  Keziah 
H.  Rowe,  who  died  Oct.  26,  1873.     Children  : 

Frank  G.,  b.  Sept.  28,  1847,  m.  Hattie  L.  Storrs  Jan.  9,  1878. 
Isaac  H.,  b.  Apr.  30,  1849,  m.  Sarah  Sanford  July  31,  1869. 
Alice  J.,  b.  Apr.  30,  1851,  m.  Robert  Healy  Sept.  13,  1866. 
Mary  E.,  b.  Apr.  14,  1854,  d.  Sept.  2,  1874. 
George  A.,  b.  Dec.  30,  1857,  d.  Sept.  15,  1858. 
Hattie  K.,  b.  Oct.  10,  1860. 

Jared  Bassett,  son  of  Abraham  and  Mary,  m.  Sally,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Jesse  Johnson.     Children : 

Julius,  m.  1st  Augusta  Ann  Lake ;  2nd,  Sarah  Lum.     Children  : 

Frederick  B.,  Heber  L.,  Sarah  E.,  Augusta  A.,  Flora. 

George,  m.  Laura  Tomlinson.     Children; 

Minerva  M.,  Elizabeth  E. 

Sheldon,  m.  Elizabeth  Sparry,  lives  in  Woodbridge.     Children  : 

Ida  A.,  Hattie. 

Sarah,  m.  Sylvester  P.  Smith  of  Birmingham.     Children : 

EUzabeth,  Joseph  H. 

Thomas  G.,  m.  Catharine  A.  Tiake.     Child  : 

iS'ellie  C. 


Joseph  Bassett,  m.  Sarah  Hawkins  Nov.  16, 1748.  Children  :  Samuel, 
b.  June  25, 1751;  Tafeene,  b.  Jan.  12,  1762;  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  12, 1764;  Rhode, 
b.  Feb.  12, 1769. 


John  Bassett,  m.  Naomi  Wooster  Oct.  6,  1743. 
Samuel  Bassett,  m.  Sarah  Bochford  Oct.  26, 1748. 


Joseph  Bassett  and  Molly  Henman  were  married  March  18,  1779. 
Children  : 

Sheldon,  b.  Feb.  14,  1780. 

Nancy,  b.  Mar.  22,  1782.  d.  r.,  bmd,i56. 

Laurey,  b.  Mar.  13,  1784. 


GENEALOGY.  207 


S  H  J\.  I^  F»  E  . 

Thomas  Sharpe,  born  in  England  about  1580,  was  appointed  assistant 
to  Endicott,  the  new  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  in  1629.  He  sailed  from 
London  on  the  Arabella  in  the  fleet  with  Winship,  and  was  present  at  the 
court  held  on  the  Arabella  March  23rd,  1629.  He  was  the  sixth  member 
of  the  Boston  Church. 

He  filled  his  office  of  Assistant  to  the  Governor,  as  it  was  then  termed,  and 
member  of  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  Colony  without  interruption  until 
1631,  when  he  embarked  at  Salem  with  Sir  Richard  Saltonstall  and  family  on 
board  the  Lions  Whelp,  April  1st,  and  arrived  in  London  April  30th. 

Winthrop's  New  England,  Young's  Chronicles  of  Massat-husetts,  etc. 


Thomas  Sharpe  came  from  England  in  1700,  settled  in  Stratford,  m. 
Lydia,  daughter  of  Wm.  Dickinson,  and  granddaughter  of  Kev.  Frederick 
Dickinson,  in  1701,  and  in  1708  was  one  of  the  thirty-six  men  to  whom 
the  General  Assembly  granted  the  township  of  Newtown.  He  sold  the  lands 
he  had  purchased  in  Stratford  and  removed  to  Newtown.  Among  the  transfers 
made  by  him  at  this  time  was  one  of  land  in  Stratford  to  Samuel  Hawley  of 
Derby  in  exchange  for  said  Hawley's  right  in  the  town  of  Derby,  Jan.  23, 
170|,  recorded  in  Derby  Records,  book  2,  p.  101,  land  records.  At  a  town 
meeting  (in  Newtown)  held  Sept.  4,  1711,  Thomas  Sharpe  was  appointed 
surveyor  of  highway,  an  office  which  was  then  no  sinecure,  as  the  town 
records  of  the  highways  laid  out  through  the  lands  until  then  almost  untrod 
by  the  feet  of  white  men  will  attest.  By  the  several  divisions  among  the  pro- 
prietors of  various  tracts  of  land  as  fast  as  surveyed  during  two  or  three  years 
following,  he  and  his  heirs  acquired  several  hundred  acres  of  land,  the  larger 
part  of  the  township  being  still  unsurveyed  and  undivided.  He  died  iu  1712, 
leaving  five  children.  His  wife  Lydia  survived  him  about  forty  years.  A 
protest  made  by  her  Dec.  15,  1751,  still  appears  on  the  Newtown  records,  re- 
lative to  lands  of  which  she  was  unjustly  deprived. 

Thomas,  b.  Mar.  18,  1702,  died  April  17,  1765,  aged  63  years. 

Mary,  b.  Oct.  10,  1703. 

William,  b.  Aug.  19,  1705. 

John,b.  Feb.  1,  1708. 

Elizabeth,  b.  Apr.  18, 1712. 


Thomas  Sharp,  son  of  Thomas  and  Lydia,  m.  Feb.  17,  1745,  Sarah, 
dau.  of  Richard  Crozier  and  granddaughter  of  William  Crozier,  lived  in 
Newtown.     Children : 

Thomas,  b.  May  28,  1746,  m.  Mary  Treadwell,  d.  Mar.  14,  1805. 
Lydia,  b.  Dec.  16,  1748. 


208  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

John,  b.  NoY.  12,  1750,  m.   Phedina  Lake  Nov.  23,  1772,  d.  at  Harlem 
iu  1777.     Children: 

Lucy,  bom  Oct.  11,  1773;  Reiia,  bora  Aug.  4,  1776. 

Eliakim,  b.  Dec.  5,  1752,  m.  Hester  Wetmore  Nov.  25,  1773. 

Jesse,  b.  Jan.  30,  1755. 

Sarah,  b.  Mar.  25,  1760,  ra.  John  Blake  Vose.     Children: 

John,  Abby  (m. Smith  of  Stratford),  Lucy.  Lydia,  Eiith. 


Thomas  Sharp,  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah,  m.  Mary  Treadwell,  removed 
to  Ridgefield  and  afterward  to  Oxford,  near  Zoar  Bridge,  where  he  died  Mar. 
14,  1805.     Children  : 

Polly,  b.  June  30, 1771,  m.  Frederick  Galpin  of  Woodbury,  d.  Oct.  30, 1851. 

Children  :  Stephen,  Curtiss,  Polly,  Maria  and  Leman. 

Lydia,  b.  Apr.  18,  1774,  d.  Jan.  28,  1778. 

Floranna,  b.  Feb.  20,  1778,  m.  Corydon  Kelsie  of  Vermont,  d.  in  1841. 
Mary  Ann,  b.  July  11,  1781,   m.  Joseph  Thompson  of  West  Haven,  d. 
Mar.  23,1765.     Children: 

Fanny,  Cynthia,  (m.   Sherwood  E.,  Stratton),  Loniaa,  Jeduthun,  Charles,  George,  Lncinda, 
Joseph  and  Jane. 

Amy,  b.  July  11,  1783,  m.  Seth  Sherwood  Stratton,  d.  Aug.  6, 1843. 
Daniel,  b.  Apr.  22, 1785,  m.  Polly  Bennett,  d.  Mar.  28, 1870,  je  84y,  11m. 

Children:  Sherman  Judsou,  m.  AphiaE.  Wheeler;  and  Legrand,  father  of  Samuel  and  Jane 
(m.  Ira  Beardsley  of  Monroe). 

Philander,  b.  Mar.  24,  1787,  m.  Sarah  Davis,  d.  Apr.  30, 1859,  aged  72. 

Children  :  Eugene,  George,  Alfred,  Eliza,  m. McEwen. 

Henry,  b.  Oct.  7,  1789,  m.  Polly  Sherman,  d.  Oct.  27,  1823,  aged  33. 

Children :  Urzelia,   m.  Rev.  Thomas  CUnghan  ;  Henrietta,  m.  "William  VTakeman  of  New 
Haven ;  Walker. 

Hannah,  b.  Dec.  7,  1791,  d.  May  20,  1820,  aged  28. 

Abia,  b.  Dec.  7,  1791,  d.  June  28, 1817,  aged  25. 

Lugiiind,  b.  in  Ridgeiield  June  1,  1797,  d.  May  1,  1876,  aged  78  y.  11  m. 


LuGRAND  Sharp,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary,  m.  Sept.  28,  1823,  Olive 
M.  Booth,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and  Anna  Booth  of  Southford,  who  d.  Mar. 
8,  1864.  He  purchased  a  homestead  in  Southford,  where  he  lived  until  Apr. 
1843,  when  he  removed  to  Seymour.    Children : 

Mary  A.,  m.  John  James  of  Ansonia. 

Olive  Maria,  m.  Albert  W.  Lounsbury  of  Seymour. 

Elizabeth,  m.  Rev.  Walter  Chamberlin  of  the  Newark  Conference. 

Henry,  d.  in  Southford,  Apr.  10,  1832,  in  his  second  year. 

John  Wesley,  d.  in  Seymour,  Jan.  29,  1849,  aged  16. 

Thomas,  m.  Lottie  McLain ;  residence,  Seymour. 

Daniel  Smith,  d.  in  Seymour,  Aug.  27,  1849,  in  his  13th  year. 

William  Carvosso,  m.  Vinie  A.  Lewis  of  Monroe,  residence,  Seymour. 

Andrew  Benedict,  d.  in  Southford,  Nov.  27,  1842,  in  his  2nd  year. 

David  Watson,  m.  Emily  Lewis  of  Monroe,  residence,  New  Haven. 


GENEALOGY,  209 

Eliakim  Sharp  of  Monroe,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary,  ra.  ISTov.  25,  1773, 
Hester  Wetmore,  b.  Sept.  16,  1756,  d.  in  Mar.  1839,     Children : 
Andrew,  b.  Aug.  17,  1775,  d.  Nov.  26,  1790. 
Betsey,  b.  Nov.  5,  1776,  m.  Burr  Tomlinson. 
Mabei,  b.  Oct.  11,  1779. 
Ruth  Ann,  b.  June  10,  1784. 

Lydia  Ann,  b.  Mar.  22, 1788,  d.  Feb.  7,  1817,  buried  in  Huntington. 
Mary,  b.  Oct.  18, 1789. 
John  W.,  b.  Aug.  10,  1791,  d.  Nov.  7,  1815,  in  Liverpool,  Eng.,  where 

he  had  gone  in  a  vain  endeavor  to  recover  the  family  estate. 
Annice,  b.  Aug.  10, 1791,  m.  John  AV.  Robert  and  removed  to  Ohio. 


Jesse  Sharp  had  children  : 

Sally,  m Yale. 

John,  b.  1690,  ra.  Kate  Dawson,  d.  Oct.  27,  1825. 
William,  m.  the  daughter  of  Moses  Beardsley, 
Lydia,  m.  William  Dart. 

Nancy,  ra Dart,  brother  to  William. 

Hepsey,  m.  Israel  Calkins. 

David,  went  to  sea  while  young  and  never  returned. 

In  Vol.  11,  p.  126  of  Derby  Records,  Jesse  Sharp  is  named  as  one  of  the  original  proprietora  of  the 
'■  Quaker  Farms  Purchase,"  and  a  tract  of  land  was  set  olf  to  him  "  at  a  place  called  Good  Hill  Eocks, 
on  the  easterly  side  of  the  highway  adjoining  the  Great  River,  beginning  at  Josepli  Wooster's  north- 
west corner  atsd.  river,  bearing  nortlicily  ninety-two  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones  on  a  rock,  thence  eighty- 
two  rods  easteily  to  Joseph  TwitcheU  aucl  Joseph  Wooster's  corner,  thence  to  the  bounds  begun  at  one 
hundred  and  thirty-two  rods,  *  *  *  a  middle  bound  at  the  end,  of  sixty  rods  upon  the  highway  on 
the  River,  *  *  *  likewise  another  piece  of  laud  lying  westerly  on  highway  next  to  the  River  for  the 
purpose  of  a  iishing  place,  forty -four  rods  long,  bounded  at  the  north  end  at  a  little  brook  at  butnut 
tree,  with  a  bowing  Une  to  a  middle  bounds  at  Wickup  tree,  thence  southerly  to  a  great  rock  with 
stones  on  it."  Zachakiah  Hawkins,  ') 

John  Tomlinson,         VCom't. 

John  Holbkook.  ) 

John  Sharp  sold  land  Nov.  4,  1807,  to  William  Sharp  as  follows  :  "lying  in  said  Derby  at  the  lower 
end  of  Paul's  Plain  so-called,  bounded  westerly  on  Ousatonick  River,  southerly  on  a  small  brook, 
easterly  on  the  Ousatonick  Tuiupiko  road  &.  Nortlierly  part  on  Philo  Eassett's  land  &  part  on  Russel 
Tomlinson's  land."  A  subsequent  transfer  of  this  land  is  witnessd  by  David  Sharp  and  Philo  Bassett. 
Aug.  16,  1811,  John  Sharp  bought  of  David  Judson  "a  certain  piece  of  land  Ijing  in  Derby  at  a  place 
called  Falls  Plain  Rocks  and  is  bounded  West  on  highway,  south  on  lands  formerly  belonging  to  Russell 
Tomlinson." 


Amy  Sharp,  dau.  of  Thomas  and  Mary,  ra.  Seth  Sherwood  Stratton  of 
Bridgeport.     Children : 

Seth  Legrand,  m.  Nancy  Stetson  of  Boston.     Children  : 

Joan,  Nancy  and  Jane  died  young. 

Augusta,  m. Marks  of  Stratford. 

Adaline,  m.  Maria  Hinmau. 

Legi'aud,  m. Hubbell. 

George,  was  in  the  army ;   John. 

Sherwood  Edward,   m.  Cynthia,   daughter  of  Joseph  and    Mary   Ann 
(Sharp)  Thompson  of  West  Haven.     Children  : 

Jane,  Elizabeth,  Charles  S.,  (Tom  Thumb),  and  William. 

Laurena,  ra.  Shelton  B.  Stratton.     Children  : 

Chailes  T.;  Shelton  B.;  and  Francis,  m.  Daniel  Bostwick. 


210  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUE. 

Lossena,  m.  Elijah  Peet.     Children  : 

Laura  Ann,  m Beach;  Harriet  Lossena,  m.  Lemuel  Sherman;  Jane  Eliza,  m.  Elihn 

Taylor  of  Easton. 

Daniel,  m.  Susan  Ourtiss  of  Stratford.     Children : 

Elizabeth  m.  Frank  Booth  of  Stratford,  and  has  three  children,  Freddie,  Susan,  Flora. 
Edward  Curtis. 

Henry  T.,  m.  Caroline  Mills  of  Westport,  d.  Nov.  29,  1874.     Children : 

Antoinette  Amelia,  m.  Benjamin  Anson  Fields ;  Frederick  Thomas,  Emma  Caroline,  Alice 
Louisa,  Frank  Sherwood. 


Sherman  Sharp,  son  of  Daniel  and  Polly,  m.  Apliia  Emmeline  Wheeler, 
d.  in  Seymour  in  Dec,  1866.     Children  : 

Minot,  m.  Jane  Hawkins  of  Quaker  Farms.     Children  : 

Frank  Newton  and  Carrie  Estella. 

Eev.  Charles  W.,  graduated  at  Yale,  in  1861,  m.  Helen  Bradford  of 
Binghampton,  N.  Y.;  now  principal  of  Boydton  Institute,  Boydton,Va. 


TOIVILIIVSOIV. 

Jonas  Tomlinson*,  emigrant,  settled  on  Great  Hill  about  1680.     He  had 
two  sons,  Jonas^  and  Agur^. 

Henry  Tomlinson^,  son  of  Jonas^,  m.  SybiP,  dau.  of  Agur'^.     Children  : 

Elizabeth,  m __  Thorpe. 

Annie,  m Nathan  Mansfield. 

m Givens. 

m Waters,  whose  dau.  m.  Dea.  Nehemiah  Botsford. 

Patience,  m.  Yelverton  Perry. 

Henry,  Jr.,  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Davis. 

Henry  Tomlinson^,  son  of  Henry  and  Sybil,  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Benjamin 
Davis.     Children: 

William,  ra.  Amy  Curtiss.    Children : 

Harry  and  Russell  of  Biidgeport. 

Sheldon. 

Marcus,  m.  Polly  Driver.    Children: 

Sheldon,  m.  Rhoda  Farrington  of  Boston,  lived  in  Charleston,  Mass. 
N.athan,  Jennette  and  Rhoda. 

Russell,  b.  Dec.  23,  1754,  d.  June  22, 1809. 

Charles. 

Henry. 

Penuelia,  m.  Joseph  Vicker. 


GENEALOGY.  211 

EUSSELL  TOMLINSON^,  Esq.,  of  Great  Hill,  son  of  Henry  and  Sally,  m. 
Apr.  26,  1779,  Agnes  Cortelyou  of  Kew  Utrecht,  L.  I.,  b.  Mar.  10,  1764. 
Lived  for  a  time  where  Samuel  P.  Davis  now  lives.     Children : 

Sarah,  b.  Mar.  14,  1780. 

Isaac,  b.  May  26,  1782. 

Peter,  b.  Nov.  18,  1784,  m.  Esther  Holbrook,  d.  Dec.  17,  1823. 

Simon,  b.  May  22,  1787,  m.  Charity  Hurd,  d.  Aug.  25,  1818. 

James,  b.  Aug.  18,  1789,  drowned  in  the  Housatonic  Apr.  22,  1804. 

Betsey,  b.  Apr.  29,  1792,  m.  Charles  Bacon. 

Russell,  b.  Mar.  27,  1801,  m.  Sarah  Burwell  of  Brookfield. 

They  had  oue  daughter,  Mary. 

James  C,  b.  Mar.  4,  1806,  m.  Laura  Tomlinson. 


David  Tomlinson,  b.  Feb.  5,  1778,  m.  Sept.  26,  1779,  Sarah"^,  dau.  of 
Russell  Tomlinson,  b.  Mar.  14,  1780.  David  Tomlinson  died  Aug.  3,  1862, 
aged  84  years  and  6  months.  His  wife  Sarah  died  April  16,  1867,  aged  87 
years  and  1  mouth.     Children  : 

Eliza,  b.  May  4,  1801,  m.  Elijah  Baldwin  Jan.  6, 1820,  d.  June  4,  1822. 
Mary,  b.  Mar.  5,  1803,  d.  Oct.  4,  1803. 
David,  b.  Sept.  1, 1804,  m.  Nancy  Hayes  Sept.  24,  1825. 
Augustus,  b.  Nov.  12,  1806,  m.  Dorcas  English  Apr.  17,  1830. 
Jane,  b.  Nov.  7,  1808,  m.  1st,  John  Lane  Nov.  24,  1831;  2nd,  Roger 
Newton  Whittelsey  Aug.  19,  1838 ;  3rd,  Samuel  Camp  May  15,  1843. 
Charles,  b.  Nov.  6,   1810,  m.  Jane,  dau.  of  Sheldon  Canfield,  Nov.  10, 

1831,  d.  July  18,  1839. 
Betsey,  b.  Sept.   21,  1812,  m.  1st,  Samuel  Russell    Apr.  21,  1833;  2nd, 
Edward  Russell  Dec,  17,  1849. 

Had  oue  dau.,  Mary  E.,  m.  Benjamin  Bristol  Nov.  7,  1878. 

Sarah,  b.  Dec.  5,  1814,  m.  John  C.  Hull  July  25,  1830. 

Isaac,  b.  May  24,  1817,  m.  Eliza  Baytis  Oct.  15,  1839,  d.  Oct.  31,  1853. 

Simon,  b.  Apr.  11,  1820,  m.  Maria  Lewis  Apr.  23,  1843. 


Peter  Tomlinson^,  son  of  Russell   and  Agnes,  m.  Esther  Holbrook,  b. 
Sept.  7,  1783,  d.  Feb.  10,  1854.     Children : 

Williard,  b.  Aug.  22,  1820,  d.  Dec.  7,  1832. 
Peter  and  Edwin,  b.  Dec.  17,  1823. 


Simon  Tomlinson^,  son  of  Russell  and  Agnes,  m.  Aug.  28, 1806,  Charity 
Hurd,  b.  July  3, 1780,  d.  in  April,  1842.     Children: 

Agnes,  b.  Jan.  22,  1808,  m.  George  Wagner  of  Southbury. 

William  R.,  b.  Sept.  15,  1809,   m.  1st,  Phebe,  2nd,   Hannah,  daughters 

of  Edwin  Bassett. 
Catharine  A.,  b.  Oct.  5, 1811,  m.  Wm.  Shelton  of  Ohio. 


212  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Charles  H.,  b.  May  11,  1813,  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Wm.  Smith,  removed  to 

Indiana. 
George,  b.  Sept.  29, 1814,  m.  Delia,  dau.  of  Arad  Skeels  of  Birmingham. 
Mariette,  b.  Feb.  2, 1816,  m.  1st,  Harry  Johnson,  2nd,  Legrand  Bennett. 
Sarah,  b.  Sept.  22,  1818,  m.  Charles  Benton  of  Sharon. 


,     Isaac  Tomlinson*^,  son  of  Russell  and  Agnes,  m.  Grace,  dau.  of  Reuben 
Lum.     Children : 

Jennette,  m.  Sherman  Prescott  of  New  Haven. 

James,  ra.  Milly  Miles  of  Derby. 

Mary,  m.  Anson  F.  Colt  of  New  Haven. 

Peter,  m Canfield  of  Derby. 

Betsey,  m Canfield  of  New  Haven. 

Isaac,  died  in  childhood. 

James  C.  Tomlinson*^,  son  of  Russell  and  Agnes,  married  Laura  Tom- 
linson.     Children : 

Agnes,  Elizabeth,  V  Mary  A.,  Williard,  Edward,  Isaac,  Laura. 
John  R.,  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Capt.  Truman  Davis  of  Naugatuck. 


Annie  Tomlinson*,  dau.  of  Henry^  and  Sybil,  m.  Nathan  Mansfield. 
Children : 

Betsy,  b.  Nov.  30,  1777,  m.  Anson  Gillette. 
Sally,  m.  Cyrus  Holbrook. 

Had  one  son,  and  one  daughter  who  married  Benjamin  Chatfield.    Both  died  young. 

Annie  m.  Wm.  Dyer  of  Berlin,  Ct.     Had  three  sons. 
Jared  m.  Eunice  Jennings.     Children  : 

Stephen,  Nathan  and  Eliza  Ann,  wlio  m.  Abrara  Fowler. 


Isaac  Tomlinson,  m Hawkins.     Children : 

Isaac,  in.  Lucretia  Webster  of  Oxford. 
Grace,  m.  Samuel  Lake.     Children  : 

Jennette,  d.  unmarried  ;  George,  lives  in  New  Haven. 

Aminon,  m.  Hannah 

Silas,  m.  Polly  Hawkins. 

Truman,  b.  July  7,  1780,  m.  Nancy  Perry,  d.  Dec.  25,  1846. 

Laura,  m.  David  Beecher. 


Truman  Tomlinson,  son  of  Isaac,  m.  Nancy,  dau.  of  Yelverton  Perry 
and  Patience  Tomlinson  of  Oxford.     Mrs.  Nancy,  d.  Nov.  8, 1841.  Children  : 

Born  in  Castleton,  Vt. 

Ransom,  b.  Apr.  29,  1808,  m.  Nancy  Bates  of  Oxford,  d.  in  July,  1872. 

Children :  Martlia,  ui.  William  lliggs,  living  in  Orange. 


GENEALOGY.  213 

Nancy,  m. "Wolfe,  living  in  Hoboken,  N.  J. 

Perry,  m.  Emma ,  living  in  Portland,  Oregon. 

Mary,  b.  Jan.  16,  1810,  m.  Joel  R.  Chatfield.     Children : 

John,  m.  Anna  Leigh. 

Edwin,  m.  Kate  TomUnson. 

Hiram. 

Ransom,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  "William  GCyard. 

Mary. 

Charlotte,  m.  Jerred  Kimberly. 

Hattie. 

Joel,  m. Keast. 

Emily,  b.  Jan.  24,  1812,  m.  Capt.  Philo  Holbrook,  d.  in  Nov.  1859. 

Children  :  Frederick,  m.  Dotha  Kimberly. 

Andrew. 

Koyal. 

Julia,  m.  Howard  F.  Moshier. 

PhUo,  Jr.,  living  in  Oregon. 

Daniel. 

Nebraska. 

Hermon. 

Harrison,  b,  Apr.  25,  1814,  m.  Jan.  14,   1841,  Emerett,  dau.  of  Capt. 
Truman  Davis  of  Naugatuck,  d.  Nov.  25,  1855.     Children : 

Mary,  Emma  S.,  Hattie,  m.  Horace  D.  Chatfield  of  Birmingham  ;  Clara  and  Henry  Harri- 
son, died  in  infancy. 

Laura,  b.  Aug.  4,  1816,   m.  George  Bassett  of  Seymour,  d.  in  Meriden 
Mar.  25,  1855. 

Bom  in  Monckton,  Vermont. 

Minerva,  b.  Dec.  7,  1818,  m.  Benjamin  Nichols  of  Oxford.    Children : 

Nancy  M.,  m.  George  A.,  Tomlinson  of  Ansonia. 
Arthur,  died  in  infancy. 
John,  unmarried. 

Born  in  Oxford,  Ct. 

John  Givens,  b.  Mar.  23,  1821,  resides  in  Portland,  Oregon. 


One  Jonas  Tomlinson  d.  Oct.  2,  1796.     One  Agur  had  a  negro  slave  Feb. 
7,  1791.     D.  K."™d  139. 

Levi  Tomlinson,  Esq.,  m.  Amelia Children  : 

Urania,  d.  Oct.  1,  1794,  aged  1  year  and  11  months. 

Amelia,  d.  Sept.  29,  1794,  aged  16  years. 

Levi,  d.  Sept.  23,  1794,  aged  9  years. 

Phebe,  May  11,  1794,  aged  3  years  and  10  months. 


P  E  n  I^  IT  . 

Arthur  Perry^  came  to  Stratford  about  1675  and  married  Anna,  only 
daughter  of  Joshua  Judson,  about  1676.     He  had  thirteen  children,  viz.: 
William,  b.  in  June,  1677. 
Anna,  b.  in  Jan.,  1679. 


214  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Samuel,  b.  in  Feb.,  1681,  m.  Elizabeth 

Sarah,  b.  in  Jan.,  1682. 

Elizabeth,  b.  in  Sept.,  1684. 

Yelverton,  b.  in  Aug.,  1686. 

Seth,  b.  in  Jan.,  1688. 

Ruth,  b.  in  May,  1690. 

Daniel,  b.  in  Apr.,  1692. 

Joshua,  b.  in  Dec,  1694,  d.  at  Ripton  in  1688. 

Caleb,  b.  in  Aug.,  1696. 

Deborah,  b.  in  Mar.,  1698. 

Josiah,  b.  in  Aug.,  1699. 
It  is  thought  that  the  Arthur  above  mentioned  was  a  son  of  Arthur  Perry 
of  Boston,  1638  to  1652,  born  too  near  his  father's  death  to  be  mentioned  in 
his  will. 


Samuel  Perry^,  son  of  Arthur,  born  in  Stratford,  m.  Elizabeth 


had  a  son  Abner^,  who   had  a  son  Caleb"*,  the  father  of  Yelverton  Perry^,  m. 

1st, Hawley  of  Huntington,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter,  Sally,  who 

married  Silas  Hawkins  of  Oxford  ;  2nd,  Patience,  dau.  of  Henry  and  Sybil 
Tomlinson  of  Derby,  by  whom  he  had  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  John^, 
Frederic^,  Hermon*^,  Azariah  Hawley^,  Laura"^  and  Nancy^,  b.  Oct.  1,  1783, 
d.  Nov.  8,  1841. 

John  Perry^,  b.  in  Oxford,  Oct.  19, 1767,  married  Anna  Beardsley,  who 
died  Nov.  26,  1836.     He  died  March  13,  1852.    Children  : 

Charles',  b.  Apr.  24,  1796,  in  Oxford,  d.  in  fall  of  1861.     Married  Mary 
Ann  Paine.     Children : 

Frederick,  Charles,  Harriet,  Adam  Clark.    All  dead  but  youngest. 

Philo',  b.  Feb.  11,  1798,  drowned  June  12,  1800. 

John^  b.  Nov.  12,  1801,  d.  July  15,  1839,  leaving  one  child, 

Charles,  b.  Sept.  20,  1835,  d.  Sept.  12,  1842. 

Nancy'',  b.  Sept.  3,  1803,  ra.  Cornelius  Pugsley  of  Stamford,  Dutchess 
CO.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  14,  1831.     Children : 

Henry,  Cornelia,  Van  Allen,  Jacob,  Charles. 


Frederick  Perry*^,  of  Southbury,  m.  Mary  Strong.    Children : 
Andrew,  resides  at  Southbury,  unmarried. 

Betsy,  m. Smith,  then  Osborne.     Left  no   children.     Died  in 

Southbury  in  1874. 
Charles,  m.  Maria  Curtiss  of  Southbury. 

Had  one  .sou,  Henuon,  who  married  Josephine  Mitchell  of  South  Britain. 

Sophia,  m. Raymond. 

Dau.  Mary,  m. Stoue  of  Southbury. 


GENEALOGY.  215 

Hermon  Perry^,  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  m.  Susannah  Henry.     Children : 
Hernion,  died  unmarried. 
William,  died  unmarried. 

Albert,  m. Lake. 

Susannah,  m.  Geo.  W.  Waters. 

Laura  Perry^,  m.  David  Smith  of  Kent,  Ct.,  removed  to  Dutchess  co., 
N.  Y.,  and  died  there. 


AzARiAH  Hawley"  Perry^,  bom  in  Oxford  Sept.  21,  1780,  m.  Mar.  6, 
1809,  Polly  Leavenworth,  b.  Aug.  27,  1789,  in  Huntington.  He  died  Nov. 
21,  1826.  She  died  May  31,  1871.  Had  one  child,  Jane^,  b.  in  Huntington, 
Mar.  11,  1811,  ra.  David  Shelton  of  Huntington  May  4,  1830.  David  Shel- 
ton  died  June  2, 1872.  They  had  one  daughter,  Maiy  Jane^,  born  Feb.  8, 
1833,  who  married  Edwin  Wooster  of  Birmingham  May  23,  1860 ;  died 
June  4,  1864.  Edwin  Wooster  was  di'owned  in  the  Housatonic  river  near 
Birmingham,  Apr.  20,  1876. 


Nancy  Perry*',  m.  Truman  Tomlinson.     See  Tomlinson  Genealogy. 


li:  I IV  ]v  E  ^5r  - 

Ebenezer  Kinney,  b.  in  1718,  m.  Betty  Davis  Dec.  7,  1738.     He  died 
Jan.  10,  1795.     She  died  in  Nov.,  1784.     Children  : 
Lucy,  b.  Dec.  3,  1739,  d.  Nov.  27,  1861. 
Comfort,  b.  Oct.  11,  1741,  d.  May  2,  1771. 
Eunice,  b.  Aug.  31,  1743. 
Betty,  b.  Sept.  20,  1745. 
Sarah,  b.  Oct.  3, 1748. 
Ebenezer,  b.  Oct.  27,  1750,  d.  in  May,  1777. 
Abigail,  b.  Feb.  11,  1753,  d.  Oct.  4,  1769. 
Ethel,  b.  Mar.  17,  1755,  d.  in  Oct.,  1838,  aged  82  years. 
William,  b.  July  16,  1757,  d.  Jan.  7,  1845,  aged  87. 
Medad,  b.  May  31,  1759,  d.  in  May,  1794,  aged  35  years. 
Lucy,  b.  Sept.  20, 1761.  D.  B.^^^  p.  7. 


William  Kinney,  son  of  Ebenezer,  m.  Millie  Steele,  b.  Dec.  15,  1760, 
d.  Mar.  9,  1827.     Children  : 

Ebenezer,  b.  Nov.  28,  1779,  m.  Betsey  Buckmgham,   d.  Apr.  2,  1851. 
She  d.  Dec.  29,  1846. 


21C  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Sheldon,  b.  Oct.  12,  1781,  m.  Esther,  dau.  of  Daniel  Canfield,  d.  June 
13,  1873,  aged  91  y.  and  8  m.   She  was  b.  Mar.  6, 1790,  d.  May  30, 1852. 

William,  b.  Aug.  20,  1783,  m.  Anna  Smith,  d.  June  25,  1856.  She 
died  Sept.  28,  1807,  aged  76  years. 

Betsey,  b.  Sept.  10,  1785,  m.  Anson  Chatfield,  d.  June  28,  1863. 

Cliildien :  Divine,  Marietta,  Susan. 

Sally,  b.  I^ov.  10,  1787,  m.  Sheldon  Nichols,  d.  Oct.  25, 1803.    Children: 

Slieldon,  William,  Lucena. 

Isaac,  b.  Feb.  13,  1790,  d.  Aug.  18,  1875. 

Lucinda.  b.  Oct.  2,  1792,  m.  Capt.  William  Lum,  d.  Aug.  9,  1825. 
Medad,  b.  Dec.  18,  1794,  m.  Rebecca  White,  d.  Feb.  6, 1830.     She  died 
May  2,  1826,  aged  32.     Children: 

Koawell,  Mary,  Polly,  Ann,  John. 


Ebenezer  Kinney,  son  of  William,  m.  Betsey  Buckingham,  b.  Apr.  19, 
1783.     Children: 

Betsey  M.,  b.  Jan.  29,  1804,  m.  Jeremiah  Durand. 
William,  b.  Sept.  27,  1806,  d.  Jan.  1,  1847. 
George,  b.  Nov.  2, 1816,  d.  Oct.  16, 1847. 
Lester  B.,  b.  Feb.  4,  1819. 

William  Kinney,  son  of  William,  m.  Anna  Smith.     Lived  in  the  house 
on  Hill  St.,  now  occupied  by  John  Kelleher.     Children : 
Mary  Jane,  m.  James  Johnson  of  Bridgeport. 
Sarah  Grace,  m.  Isaac  White,  lived  in  Derby. 
Miranda,  m.  Clark  Lum  of  New  Haven. 
Esther  Ann,  m.  Medad  K.  Tucker. 


Dea.  Isaac  Kinney,  son  of  William  and  Mille,  m.  1st,  Polly  Durand,  b. 
July  3,  1796,  d.  Sept.  23, 1827;  2nd,  Dec.  16,  1828,  Anna  Church,  b.  Sept. 
20,  1803,  d.  Jan.  24,  1868.     Children  : 

Isaac  Heber,  b.  Mar.  7,  1830,  d.  Feb.  13,  1851. 

Charles  D.,  b.  Mar.  27, 1832,  living  in  New  Haven. 

Frederick  C,  b.  Nov.  28,  1836,  died  July  30,  1854. 


Charles  D.  Kinney,  son  of  Isaac  and  Anna,  m.  1st,  Jan.  25,  1857, 
Martha  J.  Wilder,  b.  Dec.  3,  1835,  d.  Oct.  23,  1871 ;  2nd,  July  16,  1874, 
Ella  A.  Burwell.     Children  : 

Frederick  N.,  b.  Feb.  2, 1860. 

Charles  H.,  b.  Feb.  17,  1866. 


GENEALOGY.  217 

JosiAH  LOUNSBURY  came  from  Eye,  Westchester  co.,  N,  Y.,  to  IS'ew 
Haven,  m.  Euth  Lines  May  7,  1724,  removed  to  Bethany,  lived  nearly  oppo- 
site where  Wm.  Lounsbury  now  lives.     Children  : 

Timothy*,  m.  Hannah  Smith  and  lived  to  be  86  years  of  age.     Children  : 

,  a  boy,  died  young. 

Timothy, 

Ei-i, 

Lucy,  m.  James  Hotchkiss,  moved  to  Homer,  N.  T, 

Eunice,  m.  Truman  Prince,  had  but  one  cliild,  Castle,  died  young. 

Stephen*,  m. Sperry.     Children : 

Elias,  m.  1st,  Appalina  Judd,  2nd,  Mary  Perkins. 
Hezekiah,  father  of  Mrs.  Thomas  Cochran. 
Peany  and  Irena. 

John*,  b.  Jan.  18,  172*,  m.  Euth  Perkins  Apr.  4.  1751.     Children  : 

Jairus,  b.  Jan.  14,  1752. 
Benjamin,  b.  Apr.  11,  1753. 
Richard,  b.  Aug.  20,  1754. 
Ethal,  went  west. 
Ethan,  d.  a  bachelor. 

Mary*,  b.  Feb.  12,  172|. 

Josiah*,  b.  Aug.  5,  1729.     Children  : 

Linus,  m.  Prudence  Scott.    Children  : 

Josiah,  father  of  Ransom,  Calvin,  Obadiah,  Ancel. 
Amelia,  m.  Daniel  Davis. 
Esther,  m.  Edmund  Mallory  of  Hull's  Hill. 
Patty,  m.  Titus  Smith. 

Samuel*,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Eevolution,  died  in  Farmington  over  80 

years  of  age. 
Ruth*.,  m. Tolles. 


Timothy  Lounsbury^,  son  of  Timothy*  and  Hannah,  m.  Hannah  French. 
Timothy  lived  to  be  nearly  86  years  of  age,  his  wife  nearly  70.     Children : 
Dorcas*,  m.  Jabez  Wilcox. 
Timothy,  m.  Mary  Ann  Clark. 
Lewis,  m.  Charity,  dan.  of  Amos  Clark  of  Nyumphs. 
Daniel,  m.  Saiah,  dau.  of  David  Wooding  of  Bethany. 
Jesse,  m.  Bede,  dau.  of  Jesse  Bradley  of  Bethany. 
Hannah,  m.  Herschel  Sauford  of  Prospect. 
Smith,  m.  Jennette  Tomlinson. 
Allen,  m.  Maria,  dau.  of  Elam  Cook  of  Cheshire. 
Eunice,  m.  1st,  Vincent  Brown,  2nd,  McDonald  Fisher. 
Mary,  m.  Burritt  Hitchcock,  son  of  Timothy. 
Dr.  John  of  Oxford,  ra.  Mary,  dau.  of  Win.  Church.     Children  : 

Emma,  Tully. 

George,  m. Austin  of  Prospect. 


218  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Eri,  m.  Sally  Carrington.     Children : 

Pollj',  Sarah,  Kebecca,  Abraham,  Lucy,  Isaac,  Lucretia,  Harriet,  William,  Harlo. 
The  preceding  portion  of  the  Louusbury  genealogy  was  furnished  by  Dr.  John  Lounsbiu-y  of  Oxford. 


Jairus  Lounsbuey  was  said  by  his  sons  to  have  come  from  Vermont  to 
New  Haven  and  settled  near  where  the  jail  now  stands.  He  married  Amelia 
Chapman  who  died  at  the  age  of  83  years.  He  was  in  the  Revolutionary 
service,  and  died  aged  96.     Children : 

Collins'',  b.  July  19,  1783,  m.  and  lived  in  Vermont,  d.  aged  80. 

Clarissa,  b.  Feb.  11,  1791,  m.  John  Gainsby.     Children : 

Albert,  John  Henderson,  Alfred,  Edwin,  Sarah,  Lucius. 

Betsey,  b.  Oct.  11,  1794,  m.  Harvey  Finch.     Child: 

Crownage. 

Victory,  b.  Sept.  8,  1795,  in.  Loraine  Baldwin. 

Sally,  b.  Apr.  13,  1800,  m.  Russell  Moulton.     Children : 

Ann  Julia,  m.  Elijah  Losee  of  Norwich. 
Amanda,  m.  Capt.  Alden  Powers.    Children : 

Fi'ank,  Sarah,  Luthera,  Benjamin. 
Benjamin,  shot  in  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
Mary. 

Crownage,  b.  May  20,  1803,  m.  Samantha  Hotchkiss,  d.  Feb.  28,  1879, 
aged  76  years.     She  died  Feb.  28,  1877.     Children  : 

William  H.,  m.  Julia  Ann  Ladue  of  Mattawan.    Child,  Jennie. 

Mark,  m.  Ann  Webster  of  Thompson ville.    Children:  Annette  Eliza,  Etta  Maria,  Norman 

Webster. 
Sarah,  m.  Chauncey  Hooker,  near  Holyoke,  Mass. 

David,  b.  Aug.  15,  1805,  m.  Jane  Patchen  died  in  New  Haven  April  1, 
1877,  aged  72  years.     Children : 

Lewis,  Martha,  Eliza,  Mary,  Maria. 

Probably  Jairus  was  the  son  of  John,  (2),  of  Bethany  and  went  from  there  to  Vermont,  where  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Chapman,  whose  father  was  killed  by  the  Indians  when  she  was  an  infant. 


Victory  Lounsbury,  son  of  Jairus  and  Amelia,  in.  Loraine,  dau.  of 
James  and  Sarah  Baldwin,  who  d.  Nov.  25, 1868,  aged  73  y.  and  8  m.  Children: 
Fanny,  b.  Feb.  2,  1817,  m.  Byron  Tucker.     Child: 

Lillie,  m.  Oscar  L.  Woodrulf ;  chUd,  Bernice.  • 

George  W.,  b.  Aug.  27,  1819. 

John,  b.  Sept.  8,  1821,  m.  Lucinda  Summers.     Child : 

Gertrude,  m.  Matthias  Smith  ;  child,  Maud  Lizette. 

Charles  W.,  b.  Jan.  23,  1821,  d.  Oct.  13,  1826. 
Albert  W.,  b.  Jan.  6,  1826,  m.  Olive  Maria  Sharpe. 
Henry  W ,  b.  June  29,  1829,  m.  Dec.  20,  1850,  Mary  A.,  dau.  of  Ben- 
jamin and  Harriett  Bradley  of  New  Haven,  d.  Aug.  14, 1862.  Children: 

Charles,  living  in  New  Haven,  Mich. 

Harriet  Jane,  m.  July  22,  1874,  David  Evans,  Jr. 

Children:  David  Otis  and  Benjamin  Bradley. 
Edward  Benjamin. 

Jane,  b.  Nov.  6, 1832,  m.  Lucius  Canfield  of  New  Haven,  Mich. 

Children :  Alauson,  Horatio,  Oscar. 


GENEALOGY.  219 

Mary,  b.  Feb.  8,  1834,  m.  David  W.  Riggs  of  Pinesbridge.     Children  : 

Francis,  m.  Harris  Osborne. 

Fred  O.,  m.  Sarah  Isbell,  who  d.  in  Apr.,  1879. 

Ehner,  Edward,  Dudley. 

Sarah,  b.  Dec.  12,  183G,  m.  John  H.  Miller,  d.  May  2,  18G7.     Children: 

George  B.,  d.  Aug.  2,  1867,  aged  3  years ;  Eda. 

Charles,  b.  Sept.  4,  1838,  d.  Sept.  15,  1850. 

Ellen,  b.  Sept.  14,  1843,  m.  Frank  Couvrette,  d.  Apr.  12,  1878,  aged  34 
years.     Children : 

Arthur  B.,  Alice  B.,  d.  in  July,  1873,  aged  11  months. 


EliAS  Lounsbury',  son  of  Stephen^,  m.  1st,  Appolina  Judd.     Child: 

Elias,  father  of  Elizur  of  Westville. 
Married,  2nd,  Mary  Perkins.     Children: 

Major,  Newel,  Marlin,  Belus,  Ursula. 


T  xj  c  k:  E  I^  . 

Daniel  Tucker  came  from  Long  Island,  in.  Elizabeth .    Children : 

Capt.  Ruben,  b.  Mar.  1,  174*. 
Gideon,  b.  Apr.  17, 1746. 
Joseph,  b.  July  1,  1748. 
Zephaniah,  b.  in  1759. 


Zephaniah  Tucker,  blacksmith,  lived  uptown,  Derby,  d.  Sept.  18, 1848, 
aged  89  years.     Children  : 

Sheldon,  b.  Mar.  6,  1786,  d.  Jan.  5,  1843. 
Anna,  b.  Nov.  27,  1783,  m.  Edmund  Steele. 
Betsey,  m.  Rev.  Nathaniel  G.  Huntington. 


Sheldon  Tucker,  m.  Nancy  Kinney,   b.  Nov.  23,  1793,  d,   Sept.  19, 
1831.     Children : 

Medad  K.,  b.  Jan.  28,  1815. 

Mariah  A.,  b.  Sept.  23,  1819,  m.  Isaac  B.  Davis. 

Sheldon,  b.  Mar.  6,  1824,  d.  Aug.  18, 1825. 


Med  AD  K.  Tucker,  son  of  Sheldon,  m.  Esther  A.  Kinney.     Has  one  son, 
Sheldon,  m.  Mary  E.,  dau.  of  Henry  B.  Beecher. 


220  HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

HITCHOOCKl- 

Ebenezer  Hitchcock^  of  New  Haven,  m,  Rebecca  Thomas,  Mar.  23, 
1747.     Their  son,  Timothy^  was  born  Nov.  8,  1748. 


Timothy  Hitchcock^  of  Bethany,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Rebecca,  m. 

Abigail ,  who  d.  aged  99  years  and  7  months.     He  d.  Aug.  5,  1820, 

aged  72.     Children  : 

Timothy. 

Denzil  H.,  b.  Dec.  7,  1786,  d.  Jan.  24,  1850,  aged  63. 

Clark,  m.  Abigail  Perkins,  removed  to  Baltimore. 

Abigail,  d.  in  1873,  unmarried. 

Anna,  m.  Dilavan  Wooster  of  Watertown. 

Elizabeth,  m.  Darius  Driver  of  Bethany. 

Thyra,  m.  Arlon  Hine,  removed  to  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Lydia,  m.  Samuel  Driver  of  Bethany. 

The  following  inscription  from  a  Bible  shows  the  excellent  chaiactor  of  the  writer : 

"  This  Bible  is  the  Gift  of  Timothy  and  Abigail  Hitchcock  to  their  son  Denzil  Hitchcock,  who  was 
born  Dec.  7th,  A.  D.,  1786,  in  the  Parish  of  Bethany,  town  of  Woodbridge,  county  of  New  Haven  and 
State  of  Connecticut. 

"  My  son,  I  beseech  you  not  to  let  this  Book  lie  by  you  neglected  ;  read  it  with  cai-e  and  attention ; 
meditate  on  the  truths  and  doctrines  it  contains  with  clelight ;  and  endeavor  to  govern  your  life  and  con- 
versation agreeable  thereto. 

"  That  God  may  grant  you  Grace  to  avoid  sin;  Patience  under  trials ;  quiet  resignation  to  Provi- 
dence ;  A  Prosperous  life ;  and  a  happy  Eternity,  is  the  earnest  Prayer  of  your  Anectionate  Father, 
Timotliy  Hitchcock."  J 

Denzil  Hitchcock^,  son  of  Timothy^,  m.  Betsey,  dau.  of  Elias  Carring- 
ton  of  Milford.     Children  : 

Henry  Nelson,  d.  Mar.  25,  1825,  aged  2J  years. 
Henrietta. 

Sarah  C,  m.  1st,  Oct.   24,  1847,  Bernard  Humphreys,  who  d.  Jan.  9, 
1854;  2nd,  George  B.  Robinson  Dec.  4,  1854. 

Bernard  Humphreys  bought  out  Albert  Steele's  cabinet  business  and  at  one  time  was  engaged  in 
papermaking  in  company  with  Andrew  De  Forest. 


Timothy  Hitchcock^,  b.  in  August,  1781,  m„  1st,  Rayner  Twitchell; 
2nd,  Mrs.  Amanda  Bassett ;  d.  in  New  Haven  Dec.  5,  1878,  aged  97  y.  and 
4  m.     Children  : 

Sheldon,   m. dau.  of  Capt.  Auger  of  New  Haven,  d.   in  New 

Haven  in  Aug.,  1877. 
Burritt,  m  Mary,  dau.  of  Dr.  Timothy   Lounsbury,  of  Bethany.     Resi- 
dence, New  Haven. 
Sarah,  m.  Clark  Webster  of  Oxford. 
Lucinda,  m.  Joel  Chatfield.     Children  : 

Clark  and  Lucinda. 


Jonathan  Hitchcock  m.  Abigail  Beecher  Jan.  21,  1747. 
Samuel  Hitchcock  m.  Ann  Johnson  Jan.  20,  174|.     Child: 

Samuel,  b.  June  8,  17.50.  D.  R.,  Vol.  6,  p.  2. 


GENEALOGY.  221 

B  E  E  CHE  R.. 

A  Mr.  Beecher,  with  his  wife  and  son,  from  county  Kent,  England,  is  said 
to  have  embarked  in  the  first  ship  which  brought  emigrants  to  New  Haven. 
(The  first  settlers  came  overland  from  Massachusetts.)  He  died  before  the 
vessel  sailed.  His  wife  was  persuaded  by  the  other  emigrants  to  continue 
with  the  company,  with  her  son  Isaac,  from  whom  all  the  New  Haven  families 
of  the  name  are  said  to  have  descended,  and  from  whence  the  name  has 
spread  throughout  the  country,  numbering  among  the  direct  descendants  the 
Kev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher  of  Brooklyn.  For  her  services  as  physician  and 
midwife,  the  first  Mrs,  Beecher  had  a  portion  of  land  voted  to  her  by  the  town 
of  New  Haven,  which  remained  in  the  family  until  quite  recently.  On  a  part 
of  it  the  City  Hospital  now  stands. 


John  Beecher,  lived  in  New  Haven.    Children  : 

John,  b.  Aug.  9,  1671.  Jemima,  b.  Feb.  11,  1G81. 

Mary,  b.  Feb.  23,  1672.  Joseph,  b.  Feb.  1.3,  1683. 

Johanna,  b.  July  21,  1677.  Ebenezer,  b.  Apr.  12,  1686. 


Joseph  Beecher,  son  of  John,  lived  in  New  Haven.     Children; 
Allis,  b.  Jan.  28,  1695.  Hezekiah,  b.  June  14,  1703. 

Joseph,  b.  Nov.  22,  1698.  Nathaniel,  b.  Mar.  7,  1706. 

Lydia,  b.  Feb.  15, 1700.  Eliphalet,  b.  May  31,  1711. 


Joseph  Beecher,  2ud,  m.  Sarah  Ford  May  15,  1729,  lived  in   New 
Haven.     Children: 

Joseph,  b.  Feb.  14,  173^,  m.  Esther  Potter  Feb.  28,  1754. 

Moses,  b.  Feb.  2, 1732. 

Timothy,  b.  Feb.  8,  173|. 

Abel,  b.  Nov.  17,  1737. 

Titus,  b.  July  5,  1740. 

Amos,  b.  June  10,  1743.  i 

New  Haven  Records,  Vol.  1. 


Isaac  Beecher  of  Derby,  m.  Hannah  Ball,  d.  in  Sept.,  1789.    Child 
Mary,  b.  July  3,  1775,  m.  John  Riggs  Jan.  1,  1793,  d.  Dec.  16,  1827. 


Ezra  Beecher  of  West  Haven  m.  Mary  Trowbridge,  who  died  in  South- 
bury  aged  92  years.  His  son,  Nathaniel,  m.  Dinah  Smith  of  West  Haven 
and  lived  in  Southbury. 


222  HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Lewis  Beecher,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Dinah,  m.  Martha  Peck.  Children: 
Louis  L.,  m.  Polly  Fairchild,  lived  in  New  Haven. 

Sarah  M.,  m. Bartholomew,  lived  in  New  Haven. 

Henry  B.,  auger  manufacturer  of  Seymour. 

Eliza  A.,  m.  Major  Russell  Norton  of  New  Haven. 

Mary  J.,  m.  George  Fowler  of  New  Haven.     Child  : 

Frederick,  m.  Mary  Root. 

Henry  B.  Beecher,  son  of  Lewis  and  Martha,  m.  Ist,  Betsey  A. 
White ;  2nd,  Mary  Fairchild.     Children  : 

Ann,  m.  William  W.  Joy  of  Ansonia.    Children  : 

Frederick  and  Willie. 

Frank  H.,  m.  Nellie  A.  Thompson. 
Mary  E.,  m.  Sheldon  Tucker  of  Seymour. 


5^  T  E  E  L  E  . 

ADDITIONAL. 

Walter  W.  Steele  of  Ansonia,  son  of  William  Steele,  b.  Jan.  28, 
1824.  m.  Mary  E.  Carter  of  Wolcott,  Sept.  23,  1850.  He  died  Sept.  20, 
1874.     Children : 

Arthur  Willis,  b.  Mar.  18,  1852,  d.  Aug.  24,  1852. 

Mary  Frances,  b.  Apr.  5,  1855. 

Truman  Bradford,  b.  Aug.  21,  1858. 


J  OHIVS  OTV. 

ADDITIONAL. 

Hezekiah  Johnson  ra.  Dec.  12, 1784,  Rebecca  Tuttle,  dau.  of  Abraham 
and  Elizabeth  Tuttle,  b.  Feb.  14,  1756,  d.  May  1,  1830.  Hezekiah,  b.  Nov. 
6,  1749,  d.  Nov.  15,  1826. 

Newel  Johnson,  son  of  Hezekiah  and  Rebecca,  b.  May  22,  1788,  d. 
June  11,  1879 ;  m.  1st,  Oct.  21,  1809,  Betsey,  dau.  of  Benjamin  and  Martha 
Molthrop,  who  d.  Feb.  7,  1810;  2nd,  Sept.  2,  1810,  Esther  Carrington,  dau. 
of  Elias  and  Content  Carrington  of  Milford,  who  d.  Mar.  9,  1866.  He  re- 
moved from  Humphreysville  to  Westville  in  1833.     Children  : 

Sheldon  N.,  b.  May  5,  1811,  d.  Jan.  27, 1853. 

Betsey  Julia,  b.  May  1,  1813,  d.  July  6,  1872. 

Richard  Miles,  b.  Nov.  8,  1814,  d.  Jan.  26,  1874. 

Esther  Ann,  b.  Apr.  7,  1817. 

Alinira  Minerva,  b.  Jan.  6,  1821. 

Eliza  Augusta,  b.  Sept.  10,  1836. 


GENEALOGY.  223 

WOO^TER,. 


Samuel  Wooster,  m.  Mary .    Children  : 

Nathaniel,  b.  Nov.  25,  1761,  d.  Nov.  24,  1855. 

Milton,  m. Welton. 

Dilavan,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Timothy  Hitchcock. 

Josiah,  m.  Elizabeth  Terrill. 

Philo,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Philo  Hawkins. 


Nathaniel  Wooster  of  Quaker  Farms,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary,  m. 

Feb.  5,  1788,  Charity ,  b.  July  26,  1767.     Children : 

Mamie,  b.  Sept.  23,  1788. 

Grace,  b.  Jan.  9,  1791,  m.  John  Smith. 

Anna  Maria,  b.  Nov.  13,  1793;  d.  Oct.  29,  1794. 

Bennett,  b.  Oct.  13,  1795;  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Truman  Bassett.     Child: 

Charles  B.,  m.  Mary  A.  Booth.    Eesidence,  New  Haven. 

Clarissa  Maria,  b.Mar.  4,1796,  m.  Lewis  Buckingham  of  Oxford.  Children: 

Mark,  living  in  Ansonia. 

Martha,  m.  Style.s  French  of  New  Haven. 

Henrietta,  went  west.  '; 

Henry. 

Joel,  killed  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 

Nathan  R.,  b.  Nov.  18,  1810,  m.  Antoinette,  dau.  of  Truman  Bassett. 
Mark,  b.  Jan.  26, 1815,  d.  July  2,  1839. 


Grace  Wooster,  dau.  of  Nathaniel  and  Charity,  m.  John  Smith  of 
Quaker  Farms.     Children: 

Edwin,  m.  Betsey  A.,  dau.  of  Harvey  Johnson  of  Ansonia.     Residence, 
Seymour.     Child : 

Frances,  ni.  Robert  N.  Smith. 

Lucy,  died  young. 

Mary,  m.  Joel  Wheeler  of  Oxford. 

Laura. 

Bennett,  died  young. 

Gdorge,  m. ,  dau.  of  Luther  Moulthrop.'    Residence,  Ansonia. 


AUDITIOMAL. 

James  Baldwin  m.  Sarah  Perkins.     Children : 
Elias. 
Anson. 

Stephen,  m.  Betsey  Hubbell. 
Loraine,  m.  Victory  Lounsbury. 

Jesse,  m.  Jane,  dau.  of  Capt.  Isaac  Botsford.     Child:     Jabez. 
Charlotte. 


224  HISTOKY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Stephen  Baldwin,  son  of  James  and  Sarah,  ra.  Betsey  Hubbell.  Children 
George  R.,  m.  Emily  Grace  Sperry  of  Oxford. 

Eliza  Ann,  m.  1st,  Lewis  Williams  of  Naugatuck;  2nd,  Jabez  Pritchard. 
Lucy  Jane,  m.  Hobart  Churchill  of  Waterbury. 
Sarah  Maria,  m.  Robert  Twitchell  of  ISTaugatuck. 
Frederick  L.,  m.  Addie  Way,  lives  in  Oxford. 


]yiOXJLTHR,Or». 

Mathew  Moulthrop,  m.  Jane and  removed  from  New  Haven 

to  Sterrey  River  in  1G02.     Children  : 
Mathew,  Jr.,  m.  Hannah  Tompson. 
Elizabeth,  m.  John  Gregory  in  10G3. 
Mary. 

Mathew  Moulthrop,  2nd,  m.  Hannah  Tompson  in  1GG2.     Children  : 
Hannah,  b.  Apr.  20,  1605. 
John,  b.  Feb.  5,  1667,  m.  Abigail  Bradley. 
Matthew,  3rd,  b.  July  18,  1670. 
Lydia,  b.  Aug.  8,  1674. 
Samuel,  b.  Apr.  13,  1679. 
Keziah,  b.  Apr.  12,  1682. 


John  Moulthrop^,  m.  Abigail  Bradley  June  29,  1692.    Children  : 
Abigail,  b.  Aug.  12,  1693. 
John*,  b.  Mar.  17,  1696. 
Mary,  b.  in  1698. 

Sarah,  b.  in  1701,  m.  Adonijah  Morris. 
Dan'*,b.Dec.  1, 1703; m.  1st, Hannah  Belcher,  2nd, Lydia  How.    Children: 

Dan,  Charles,  lost  at  sea;  Timothy;  Hannah  lu.  Israel  Lmdsley  ;   Enos,  Enoch  ;  Sarah,  m. 
Elisha  Andreas ;  Eli,  ui.  Maiy  Moulthrop  ;  Lydia  ;  Mabel. 

Israeli  b.  June  7,  1706. 
Joseph  and  Timothy. 

John  Moulthrop*,  m.  Sarah .    Children: 

John^,  Stephen,  Mehitabel. 

Sarah,  m.  1st,  Timothy  Russell,  2nd,  John  Pardee. 

Mary,  m.  John  Dawson,  Jr. 

Abigail,  m.  Dan  Goodsell. 


GENEALOGY.  225 

John  Moulthrop^,  m.  Abigail  Holt.     Children  : 
Davi(F,  111.  Hepsibah  Hotchkiss.     Child:  David". 
John. 
Keuben,  m.  Hannah  Street  Nov.  18,  1702.     Children: 

Daniel  Bowon,  Maria,  Claris.sa,  Danipl,  Delia,  Sydue}-.  Reuben. 


Enoch  Moulthrop^  son  of  Dan",  ui.  Mary  Hotchkiss.     Children; 
Dan,  Lydia,  Mary,  Betsey,  Silas,  Timothy. 


Israel  Moulthrop*,  m.  Lydia  Page.     Children: 
Samuel,  m.  Sarah  Dennison. 
Jacob,  died  in  the  French  war. 
Timothy;  Lydia,  ni.  John  F'uller  in  1700. 
Loris,  m.  Charles  Page  in  1705. 


Samuel  Moulthrop,  m.  Sarah  Dennison.     Children : 

Josiah,  b.  May  30,  1754,  ra.  Mrs.  Lydia  Smith  July  4, 1792.     Childien : 

De.sire,  b.  Apr.  16,  1T03;  Jaied,  b.  Mar.  y,  1795;  Sanniel  R.,  b.  May  5,  1797. 

Desire,  b.  Nov.  10,  1750,  m.  Moses  Tompson  in  1775. 
Jared,  b,  Jan.  20,  1759. 

Jacob,  b.   Aug.  29,  1702,  m.  1st,  Abigail  Pardee;  2nd,  Elizabeth  Good- 
rich.    Children : 

Abigail,  Bet.sey,  Eunice,  Leonard,  Bela.  Sarah,  Daniari.s. 

Sarah,  b.  Aug.  13,  1704. 
Mercy,  b.  Sept.  9,  1707. 
Lydia,  b.  Aug.  7, 1709. 
Samuel,  b.  Sept.  1,  1773. 
James,  b.  Oct.  14,  1770. 
Israel,  b.  in  Sept.,  1779. 


Joseph  Moulthrop,    m.    Mary    Wheden.     Children :    Elihu,  Jude ; 
Adonijah,  lost  in  French  war ;  Hannah,  Rhoda,  Mary,  Lucretia,  Abigail. 


Joseph  Moulthop,  m.  Lucretia   Bradley  in    1700.     Children:  Abijah, 
Joseph,  Jared,  Khoda,  Irene,  Chauncey. 


Elihu  Moulthrop,  m.  Mary .   Children:  Jared,  Polly,  Adonijah, 

Elihu;  Esther  and  Matthew,  3rd,  who  m.  Mary .     Children: 

Jane,  b.  Dec.  13,  1094,  m.  Thomas  Hodge  ;  Matthew,  b.  in  Sept.,  1090  5 
Joseph,  b.  in  Oct.,  1098;  Mary,  b.  June  1,  1701,  m.  Gideon  Potter;  Martha, 
b.  Feb.  18,  1703;  Mathew,  b.  Feb.  1,  1705;  Benjamin,  b.  Mar.  2,  1707; 
Asher,  b.  Jan.  28,  1710;  Dorothy,  b.  Dec.  1,  1712,  m.  Isaac  Granniss. 


226  HISTOKY  OF  SEYMOUK. 

Mathew  Moulthrop,  4th,  m.  Sarah  Granniss.  Children  :  Thankful,  b. 
in  Nov.,  1728;  Joseph,  b.  in  Dec,  1730;  Sarah,  b.  in  Jan.,  1732;  Mabel,  b.  Sept. 
6,  1735 ;  Mathew,  b.  ]S'ov.  9,  1743 ;  2n(l  wife,  Hannah  Way,  had  David,  b. 
March  23,  1748.  David,  ni.  Eachel  Swayne.  Children:  John,  Martin, 
Major,  Polly,  Swayne. 


Benjamin  Moulthrop,  son  of  Elihu,  had  Benjamin  July  20,  1735, 
Elizabeth,  Mary,  Benjamin. 

Benjamin  Moulthrop,   Jr.,   ni.  Thankful   Granniss  in  July,   1761. 
Children : 

Benjamin, 

Seba,  b.  Nov.  23,  1770,  d.  July  8,  1831,  aged  60. 

Mary  and  Elizabeth. 


Seba  Moulthrop,  son  of  Benjamin  and  Thankful,  m.  Catharine  Fowler, 
b.  Aug.  16,  1780,  d.  May  22,  1859.  He  built  the  hotel,  or  tavern,  as  it  was 
then  called,  corner  of  Hill  and  Pearl  streets,  in  1812,  and  kept  it  about  twenty 
years,  when  he  died.     Children: 

William  Fowler,  b.  Aug.  3,  1798,  m.  Eunice  Bassett  Sept.  2,  1821,  d. 
in  April,  1864. 

Luther,  b.  Nov.  17,  1800,  d.  in  1866,  m.  Jennet  Candee  Dec.  19,  1830. 

Huldah,  b.  Jan.  26,  1803  ra.  Jan.  19,  1852. 

Mary,  b.  June  28,  1806,  m.  Amos  Wheeler  Apr.  24,  1825. 

Clark,  b.  Dec.  6,  1812. 

Betsey,  b.  Sept.  8,  1820,  d.  Aug.  5,  1847. 

Grannis,  b.  Nov.  17,  1822. 

Huldah  Moulthrop  m.  Isaac  Rowe  Apr.  4,  1824.  Isaac  Rowe,  Sr., 
and  his  twin  brother  Fred,  born  Aug.  16,  1799,  came  from  Brattleboro,  Vt., 
with  Gen.  Humphrey  in  1811.  Isaac  was  born  Aug.  16,  1799;  drowned  in 
Lake  St.  Clair,  Mich.,  Dec.  15,  1830.     Children: 

Huldah  Keziah,  b.  Feb.  17,  1825,  d.  Oct.  26,  1873. 

Isaac  Thomas,  b.  Sept.  22,   1828;  m.  Sarah  A.  McGraw  in   Seymour 

Mar.  16,  1851. 
Catharine,  b.  Jan. 4,  1831;  m.  George  S.  Wyant  Dec.  24, 1850.  Children: 

Frank  H.,  Eugene  A.,  lu.  Mary  Hard;  Helen  I.,  d.  Apr.  17,  1859;  Nettie  E.,  George  E. 


st^l^?<^^     '~6^a.iJL 


SHELDOIV    CLAI^K:,     ES<^. 


Condensed  from  a  sketch  by  Prof.  Silliman  kindlif  loaned  for  tMe  purpose  by  the  Secretary  of  Tale  College. 

A  little  beyond  our  northern  boundary,  in  Chestnut-tree  Hill,  is  a  tract 
of  land  owned  by  Yale  College,  given  by  one  who  is  well  worthy  of  a  sketch  in 
these  pages.  Sheldon  Clark,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Abiram  Stoddard  of  Seymour, 
was  born  in  Oxford  Jan.  31,1785,  and  died  April  10, 1840,  aged  55  years.  His 
father  died  when  he  was  very  young  and  he  was  adopted  by  his  grandfather, 
Thomas  Clark,  Esq.,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the  death  of  this  venerable 
ancestor  at  the  age  of  82,  April  5,  1811.  The  grandson  wished  to  obtain  a 
liberal  education,  but  his  grandfather  disapproved  of  such  a  course  as  a  waste 
of  time  and  money,  and  he  had  no  extraordinary  opportunities  for  education 
except  about  a  year  at  South  Farms,  in  Litchfield,  in  1805  and  1806.  But 
his  active  mind  prompted  him  to  diligently  read  such  books  as  he  could  ob- 
tain and  thus  cultivated  habits  of  intellectual  exercise  and  independence  of 
character.  The  death  of  his  grandfather  left  him  free  to  pursue  such  a  course 
as  his  own  judgment  dictated,  and  he  applied  for  advice  to  Prof.  Silliman  of 
Yale  College  and  passed  the  autumn  and  winter  of  1811-12  in  a  course  of 
study  in  connection  with  the  recitations  and  discussions  of  President  Dwight. 
Among  his  numerous  manuscripts  is  one  dated  January,  1812,  giving  an  ac- 
count of  a  dream  or  vision  of  the  general  judgement.  The  language  is 
elevated  and  beautiful  and  the  imagery  splendid  and  sublime.  It  is  remark- 
able for  deep  seriousness  and  reverence  for  the  heavenly  world.  Ten  years 
later  he  called  on  Prof.  Silliman  and  stated  that  the  twenty  thousand  dollars 
left  him  by  his  grandfather  he  had  by  industry  and  economy  increased  to 
twenty-five  thousand,  that  he  had  no  family,  and  might  never  have  one,  and 
that  he  was  disposed  to  appropriate  at  least  a  part  of  his  estate  to  the  encour- 
agement of  learning.  He  therefore  deposited  $5,000,  to  be  placed  at  com- 
pound interest  until  it  should  amount  to  a  sufficient  sum  for  the  establishment 
of  the  Clark  professorship.  In  1824  he  gave  $1,000  for  the  purpose  of  estab- 
lishing a  scholarship.  This  new  instance  of  liberality  excited  additional  in- 
terest in  the  hardworking  Oxford  farmer,  whose  example  had  now  placed  him 
at  the  head  of  the  benefactors  of  this  ancient  literary  institution.  In  1829  he 
presented  to  the  College  an  excellent  telescope,  with  a  focal  length  of  ten  feet 
and  an  aperture  of  five  inches,  made  to  his  order,  and  costing  over  $1,000.  He 
was  elected  to  the  legislature  from  Oxford  in  1825  and  for  several  succeeding 


228  HISTOKY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

years.  His  sentiments  and  mode  of  thought  may  perhaps  best  he  expressed 
in  his  own  words,  as  in  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  him  in 
reply  to  acknowledgments  of  one  of  his  bequests  : 

"OXFOKD,  Nov.  -jyth,  1832. 

"  Respected  Friends — Man  is  a  child  of  circumstances.  While  some  are  born  to  ease  and  plentj% 
seldom  meet  with  disappointments,  are  surrounded  by  benevolent  friends,  always  rea<ly  to  assist,  lo 
comfort,  and  tu  aftbrd  tliem  the  most  ample  means  of  enjoying  the  highest  degree  of  mental  culture  ; 
fithers  are  born  to  poverty  and  servitude,  unassisted,  even  by  their  nearest  relatives,  and  denied  the 
privilege  of  obtaining  a  good  common  school  education,  and  are  often  dispirited  by  disappointments. 

"It  was  my  destinj'  to  belong  to  the  latter  class.  Early  iu  life  I  had  a  tender  father,  who  was  in 
possession  of  a  large  amount  of  property.  He  intended,  and  often  piomised,  that  I  should  have  a  liberal 
education — but,  alas,  before  I  was  old  enough  to  prepaie  to  enter  College,  he  died,  aiul  the  estate  proved 
to  be  insolvent.  ■• 

"  Thus  all  my  fond  hopes  of  having  a  liberal  education  were  frustrated,  and  I  was  left  fatlierless 
and  penniless  in  a  hard,  unfeeUng,  selfish  world,  to  provide,  by  my  own  industry,  to  satisfy  those  poai-  • 
tivo  wants  congenial  to  poor  htiman  nature.  It  fell  to  my  lot  to  live,  till  I  was  of  age,  with  my  grand- 
father, a  hard  working,  parsimonious  farmer,  but  I  was  allowed  the  pri\'ilege  of  reading  occasionally, 
on  Sundays,  stoimy  days,  and  in  the  long  nights  of  winter.  From  these  opportunities  of  reading,  I  was 
soon  convinced  that  the  power,  the  honor,  and  glory  of  nations,  consisted  in,  and  depended  upon,  their 
great  men.  What  has  Grreece,  or  Rome,  or  any  nation  of  antiiiuity  transmitted  to  posteiity,  worthy  of 
esteem  and  admiration,  but  the  achievements  of  their  heroes,  and  the  productions  of  their  artists,  poets, 
and  pliilosophers  .'  And  what  else  can  we  transmit  to  succeeding  ages,  Xa)  distinguish  us  from  the  un- 
lettered savages  that  roamed  at  large  in  the  uncultivated  wikls  of  America  when  discovered  by  our 
fathers  ?  Full  of  this  idea,  and  animated  with  an  ardent  desire  to  promote  the  honor  and  happiness  of 
my  own  native  country,  I  felt  determined  to  do  all  I  could  to  patronize  and  encourage  liteiature  and 
science,  to  provide  the  means  of  attording  our  literary  and  scientitic  genius  a  tinislied  education. 

"Oft  when  tolling  with  ceaseless  assiduity  to  accomplish  that  object,  I  have  been  pointed  at,  by 
my  fellow-citizens,  with  the  linger  of  scorn,  and  taunted  by  the  tongue  of  ridicule.  But  for  all  this  I 
felt  a  reward  in  the  anticipation  of  promoting  the  honor,  and  glory,  and  happiness  of  my  beloved 
country.  I  never  dreamed  of  personally  receiving  the  gi'ateful  acknowledgments  of  one  of  the  most 
respectable  collegiate  classes  in  the  world.  This  1  assure  you,  my  dear  friends,  is  a  full,  a  rich  compen- 
sation for  all  the  labor,  the  hardships  and  privations  1  have  suffered. " 

From  his  will,  made  in  1823,  the  following  is  taken : 

■'•Knowing  the  uncertainty  of  Ufe — thinking  that  we  must  always  be  prepared  to  die — feeling  that 
it  is  our  duty  to  do  all  the  good  in  our  power,  and  believing  that  part  of  my  property  will  do  more  good 
if  given  to  encourage  literature  than  it  would  to  descend  according  to  law,  I,  Sheldon  Clark,  of  Oxford, 
am  voluntarily  and  of  my  ovax  accord,  disposed  to  make  the  following  wOl : 

' '  I  wish  to  be  buried  in  a  decent  manner,  and  to  have  decent  giave-stones  at  the  discietiou  of  my 
executors.  It  is  my  will,  that  my  just  debts  and  my  funeral  expenses  be  paid  out  of  my  movable 
estate.  I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Coi-poration  of  Yale  College  in  New  Haven,  all  my  homestead  farm 
whore  I  now  live,  with  its  buildings  and  appurtenances — also,  all  the  land  that  was  given  to  me  by  my 
Grandfather,  Thomas  Clark,  Es(i.,  on  the  east  side*  of  the  roatl  that  i-ims  noi-th  and  south  of  Mi.  S.uuuel 
Tucker,  with  its  buildings  and  appurtenances — also,  all  my  huid  that  lies  north  of  the  I'oad  that  runs 
by  where  txcorge  Drake  now  lives — also,  my  mea<low  tliat  lies  a  few  rods  west  of  Rimmon  school-house, 
and  also,  all  my  Red  Oak  farm,  &.c. 

•'Funils  being  so  liable  to  be  lost  by  bad  security,  it  is  my  will,  that  tlie  lands  1  have  given  to  said 
Corporation  shall  never  be  sold,  but  that  they  shall  be  let  or  rented,  iu  such  way  and  manner,  as  the 
President  and  Fellows  of  said  Yale  College,  and  their  successors,  forever,  shall  judge  to  be  for  the  best 
interest  of  said  institution.  It  is  my  will,  that  the  annual  income  of  said  lands  sliall  be  annually  appro- 
priated fw'  the  advancement  of  literature  iu  said  Yale  College,  in  such  a  manner  as  its  President  and 
Fellows,  and  theii'  successors  forever,  shall  deem  the  best  and  most  beueticial  for  said  institution  ;  but 
no  part  of  said  donation  or  income  shall  ever  be  appropriated  to  elect  oi'  repair  buildings. 

'•  I  also  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Corjioration  of  Yale  College  in  Now  Haven,  all  the  money  I  shall 
have  on  hand  and  all  the  notes  I  shall  have  due  me  at  the  time  of  my  deceas(%  (except  three  hundred 
and  thirty-four  dollars  for  Chesnut-tree  hill  school  district,)  to  be  apiu'opriated  for  the  benetit  of  said 
Yale  College,  as  its  Piesident  and  Fellows,  and  their  successois  forever,  shall  think  shall  be  for  its  best 
good,  and  the  most  conducive  to  its  prosj)crity  and  homn-." 


'Till-  liousi-  and  liomeslcad  laiin  ueic  on  the  west  side  of  the  road. 


SHELDON  CLARK.  229 

He  then  gives  in  form,  and  with  certain  conditions,  the  above  named  sum 
to  the  Cheatnut-tree  hill  school  district.  He  gives  also  to  his  three  sisters  a 
valuable  farm,  which  fell  to  him  from  his  and  their  brother,  besides  other  lands 
acquired  after  his  will  was  made;  also,  all  his  personal  estate  not  otherwise 
disposed  of;  and  on  his  death  bed  he  expressed  a  wish,  that  the  sisters  should 
receive  each  one  thousand  dollars. 

He  named  Abel  Wheeler,  Esq.,  of  Oxford,  and  Benjamin  Silliman  of 
iSTew  Haven,  his  executors,  but  Judge  Wheeler  did  not  survive  him.  He 
died  April  11, 1840,  from  injuries  received  by  a  fall  from  a  scaflfolding  in  his 
barn.  Under  his  extreme  sufferings  not  a  word  escaped  him  as  to  his  future 
prospects :  he  remarked  oulv,  that  he  had  endeavored  to  do  all  the  good  in  his 
power,  and  as  these  pages  show,  his  efforts  were  not  in  vain. 

A  large  concourse  of  friends  and  neighbors  and  people  of  the  vicinage, 
with  several  of  the  officers  of  the  college  and  the  clergy  attended  him  to  his 
last  home.  A  long  retinue  of  rural  vehicles  wound  slowly  down  the  high 
hills  and  along  the  deep  valleys  to  a  secluded  burying  ground,  which  he  had 
been  iiistrumeutal  in  arranging,  on  a  quiet  and  beautiful  plain,  shaded  by 
pines  and  watered  by  the  murmuring  current  of  a  branch  of  the  Housatonic. 
A  neat  marble  slab  records  his  name  as  "a  distinguished  benefactor  of  Yale 
College."  Such  indeed  he  was.  His  benefactions  to  the  institution,  includ- 
ing the  funded  interest  that  had  accumulated  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
amounted  to  full  thirty  thousand  dollars — three  times  as  much  as  any  otlier 
individual  had  ever  given. 

This  object  was  not  accomplished  without  a  long  course  of  stern  self- 
denial — with  great  industry  and  severe  economy.  Mr.  Clark  expended  very 
little  on  his  own  personal  accommodation.  Tlie  plain  farmer's  house  remained 
as  his  grandfather  left  it,  without  decoration  and  almost  without  repair ;  the 
furniture  was  of  the  humblest  kind,  but  a  warm  welcome  was  given  to  his 
friends  and  to  strangers,  with  ample  provision  not  only  of  the  produce  of  a 
farmer's  cultivation  and  care,  but  occasionally,  with  a  free  hospitality  in 
rarer  things. 

His  policy  was,  to  augment  as  far  and  as  fast  as  possible,  his  productive 
capital ;  he  attempted  no  improvements  in  his  agriculture  ;  he  hardly  preserved 
fences  and  buildings  in  statu  quo;  little  return  of  nuinure  was  made  to  his 
hard  worked  soils,  and  even  his  wood  iknd  timber,  were,  to  a  certain  extent, 
sold  for  money  and  cleared  away  for  nuirket,  by  other  hands.  He  kept  his 
money  always  at  work — loaned  all  the  cash  he  did  not  need,  (and  his  personal 
wants  were  few) — ret^uired  his  interest  and  payments  at  the  day — but  was  ex- 
actly just  in  his  dealings — promitt  to  give  his  advice  when  desired,  and  kind 
m  his  treatment  of  all.  His  hoarding  was  not  for  himself;  wife  and  children 
he  had  none,  and  he  laid  by  his  thousands — the  results  not  of  traflfic  or  specu- 
lation, but  of  laborious  thrifty  industry — to  furnish  the  means  of  a  superior 
education  to  the  children  uf  others,  and  to  generations  yet  unborn. 


.'30 


HISTOKY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


fiL- 


SKYMOUR  x\T  THK  CENTENNIAL. 


Janios  K.  Adams, 
Morris  Atwood, 
Miss  Flora  Bassett, 
Edward  F.  Bassott, 
Samuel  A.  Jieach, 
Mrs.  M,  A.  Beach, 
Harry  II.  Beach, 
C.  e!  Beach, 
Sharon  Y.  Beach, 
Mrs.  S.  Y.  Beach, 
Sharon  D.  Beach, 
David  Betts,  Jr., 
Mrs.  David  Betts, 
Lottie  E.  Booth, 
Edward  N.  13otsford, 
Edward  B.  liradley, 
Mrs.  E.  B.  Bradley, 
Edward  C  Brown, 
Lewis  A.  Camp, 
Samuel  H.  Cantield, 
DeWitt  C.  Castle, 


NAMKS   OF    VISITORS. 

J  (dm  Castle, 
Martin  K.  Castle, 
Mrs.  O.  S.  Chatfield, 
Sheldon  Church, 
J.  A.  Clark, 
F.  M.  demons, 
Mrs.  S.  A.  Cooke, 
Burr  S.  Davis, 
John  Davis,  2d, 
Mrs.  Martha  E.  Davis, 
iSettie  E.  Davis, 
Samuel  P.  Davis, 
Zerah  B.  Davis, 
Austin  (r.  Day, 
Mrs.  A.  (Jr.  Day, 
Edmund  Day, 
Mrs.  Edmund  Day, 
Henry  P.  Day, 
Theodore  Decker, 
A.  G.  De Wolfe, 
H.  H.  DeWolfe, 


Mary  Dibble, 
Sarah  (1.  Dibble, 
M.  A.  Doolittle, 
Mary  Doolittle, 
Mrs.  E.  L.  Doolittle, 
Albert  B.  Dunham, 
Daniel  T.  Dunham, 
Geo.  S.  Edwards, 
Mrs.  Geo.  S.  Edwards, 
Charles  Edwards, 
Horatio  N.  Egghiston, 
Mrs.  H.  N.  Eggleston, 
xida  M.  Eggleston, 
Mrs.  Jose]diine  Elliott, 
Mrs.  S.  E.  Fairchild, 
G.  B.  Flagg, 
Hattie  Ford. 
Mrs.  S.  C.  Ford, 
Friend  C.  Ford, 
Mrs.  Friend  C.  Ford, 
John  T.  Forsey, 


Mrs.  J.  T.  Forse}, 
Lewis  L.  Garrett, 
Dexter  A.  Gillette, 
Harvey  S.  Halligan, 
Frederick  Hilton, 
Andrew  Holbrook, 
Charles  F.  Holbrook, 
Killa  Hurlbiirt, 
Thomas  E.  Hurlburt, 
Thomas  James, 
George  A.  James, 
Lizzie  E.  James, 
N.  A.  Johnson, 
Mrs.  S.  G.  Johnson, 
Snsie  S.  Johnson, 
]VLarie  Kissam, 
Fannie  Kissam, 
Theodore  S.  Ladd, 
Geoi'ge  LeaA'euworth, 
Libbie  O.  Lockwood, 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 

Virgil  H.  McEwen, 
Mrs.  V.  H.  McEwen, 
Bernard  H,  Merrick, 
Frank  K.  Mitchell, 
Sheldon  Miles, 
Mrs.  Sheldon  Miles, 
W.  C.  Noyes, 
Mrs.  Noyes, 
Josephine  L.  Northrop, 
Christian  Pickardt, 
Horace  A.  Radford, 
Mrs.  C.  C.  Radford, 
S.  H.  Rankin, 
Martha  E.  Reynolds, 
Minnie  E.  Reynolds, 
Sarah  L.  Reynolds, 
William  B.  Reynolds, 
George  A.  Rider, 
William  C.  Sharpe, 
Burton  W.  Smith, 


231 

James  Smith, 
Mrs.  Sara  Smith, 
William  Smith, 
John  Spiers, 
H.  V.  Swift, 
James  Swan, 
Wm.  B.  Swan, 
Rev.  Chas.  A.  Tibbals, 
Emma  Tomlinsou, 
Lloyd  L.  Weaver, 
Mrs.  Lloyd  L.  Weaver, 
Lazarus  G.  Weaver, 
Charles  H.  Weaver, 
fienry  Wheeler,' 
Mrs.  Henrv  Wheeler, 
Nellie  White, 
Charles  H.  Williams, 
Eugene  A.  Wyant. 


GREAT  HILL  ECCLESIASTICAL  SOCIETY 


At  a  General  Assembly  of  the  Governor  mid  Company  of  the  Colony  of 
Conneetieut,  holden  at  New  Haven  on  the  second  Thursday  of  Octo- 
ber, A.  2>.,  1775. 

Upon  the  memorial  of  Timothy  Russell  and  others,  inhabitants  of  Derby, 
living  within  the  limits  of  the  first  Ecclesiastical  Society,  and  in  the  limits  of 
Oxford,  showing  that  their  situation  is  such  that  they  cannot  conveniently  at- 
tend public  worship  in  said  societies,  especially  in  the  winter  season,  praying 
that  they  may  be  exempted  from  Ministerial  Taxes  to  each  of  their  respective 
societies  for  four  months  in  each  year,  and  that  they  may  be  em})owered  to  tax 
themselves  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  among  themselves  for  said  terra  as 
per  mem^  on  tile. 

Resolved  by  this  Assembly,  That  the  memorialists  and  all  such  persons 
living  in  the  following  limits,  (viz.)  beginning  at  the  Five  Mile  Brook,  where 
the  County  Road  that  leads  to  Woodbury  crosses  said  brook,  and  then  down 
said  brook  to  the  Great  River,  from  thence  down  said  river  to  a  small  brook 
that  falls  into  said  river  in  Amos  Bassett's  farm,  and  from  thence  to  the 
mouth  of  Haseky  Meadow  brook,  where  the  same  empties  into  the  Nauga- 
tuck  river,  including  the  dwelling  houses  of  Amos  Bassett  and  Benjamin 
Bassett,  and  from  thence  up  said  Naugatuck  river  to  the  bridge  by  the  falls, 
and  from  thence  up  the  road  to  the  corner  of  Daniel  Wooster's  meadow  by  the 
Little  river,  and  from  thence  to  the  dwelling  house  of  Abner  Johnson  (ex- 
cluding said   house),  and  from  thence  to  the  first  mentioned  station ;  be,  and 


2;52  HIJSTOKV  OF  SEYMOUK. 

are  hereby  empowered  to  tax  themselves  for  the  support  of  pul)lic  worship 
amoug  themselves  for  the  term  of  four  months  months  in  each  year,  and  they 
are  hereby  exempted  from  paying  any  ministerial  taxes,  during  said  term 
towards  the  support  of  the  gospel  in  each  of  the  other  societies  ;  this  act  to 
continue  during  the  pleasure  of  this  assembly,  provided  and  on  condition  they 
uphold,  su])port  and  carry  on  public  worship  among  themselves  as  proi)Osed. 
A  true  copy  of  Kecord.     Examined  by  GEORaE  Wyllys,  Secret 


At  a  General  AHsemhly  of  the  Goiiernor  and  Conqiany  of  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, holden  at  Hartford  on  the  second  Thursday  of  May,  1779. 

Upon  the  memorial  of  John  Holbrook  and  others,  inhabitants  of  the 
southwesterly  part  of  the  township  of  Derby,  praying  this  asseujbly  to  grant 
and  enact  that  that  part  of  the  town  of  JJerby  laying  within  the  following 
bounds,  (viz.)  beginning  at  the  southerly  corner  of  Benjamin  Bassett's  land  by 
the  Great  river  running  thence  a  straight  line  to  the  mouth  of  Haseky 
Meadow's  brook  where  it  empties  into  the  Naugatuck  river,  thence  up 
said  river  to  the  New  Great  bridge,  thence  running  northwesterly  as 
the  county  road  runs,  to  the  easterly  cornier  of  Daniel  Wooster's  meadow, 
thence  running  to  Abner  Johnson's  dwelling  house,  leaving  the  same  on  the 
north  side  of  said  line,  from  thence  to  the  five-mile  brook,  where  it  crosses 
Woodl)ury  road  leading  to  Derby,  thence  down  said  brook  to  the  Great  river, 
and  from  thence  down  said  river  to  the  tirst  mentioned  boundary,  be  consti- 
tuted and  made  an  Ecclesiastical  Society  by  the  name  of  the  Great  Hill 
Society,  with  all  the  privileges,  immunities  and  advantages  that  other  Eccle- 
siastical Societies  by  law  have  and  enjoy. 

Resolved  hy  the  Assembly,  That  all  the  inhabitants  dwelling  in  that  part 
of  the  township  of  Derby,  laying  within  the  above  described  lines  and  bounda- 
ries be,  and  the  same  are  hereby  constituted  and  made  an  Ecclesiastical 
Society  by  the  name  of  the  Great  Hill  Society,  with  all  the  priviledges,  im- 
munities and  advantages  that  all  other  Ecclesiastical  Societies  by  law  have 
and  enjoy. 

A  true  copy  of  Becord.     Examined  by       .   GEORGE  Wyllys,  Secre*. 


INDEX. 


The  lists  of  names  on  pages  136  to  139  aud  230-1.  being  arranged  alphabetically,  are  not  indexed. 


Abbott,  C.  F..  112,  117. 

Rev.  B.  T.,  180. 

Robert  J.,  73,  79. 
Acly,  Rev.  Charles  G.,  28, 
Adams,  James  K.,  99,  134,  183. 

C.  Lockwood,  171. 

John.  76,  78,  183. 
Adamson,  Rev.  Mr.,  15. 
Adve,  John,  21. 
Allen,  Albert,  152. 

Ephraim,  106,  157. 

Jennette  G.,  171. 

John,  110. 

Mary,  170,  171,  195. 

Roger,  171. 
Ailing,  Gideon,  52. 

Ichabod  E„  92. 

Mary  Nevrton,  171. 
American  Car  Co.,  86. 
Ames,  Rev.  Henry,  175. 
Amity,  53. 

Anderson,  Ahira,  56. 
Annis,  Rev.  James,  174. 
Andreas,  Elisha,  224. 
Andress,  Samuel.  52. 
Andrus,  Rev.  Luman.  174. 
Armstrong,  J.,  117. 
Atwater,  L.,  178. 

Mr.,  185. 

S.  A.,  118. 
Atwood,  Henry  C,  132,  133. 

James.  168. 

Lucy  A.,  111. 

Marv,  167. 

Wheler,  168. 
Atwood  &  Betts,  139. 
Auger,  Capt.,  220. 
Austin,  Miss,  217. 
Aylesworth,  F.  P.,  99,  140. 

Bachelor,  Rev.  Elijah,  174. 
Bacon,  Charles,  211. 
Bainbridge,  Rev.  Thomas,  178. 
Baird.  Mr.,  188. 
Baker,  Capt.  James,  90,  102. 
Ball. ,  51. 

Hannah,  221. 

Statira,  171. 
Bald^vtn'  Family,  157,  223. 

Anson,  63. 

Barnabas,  42. 

E.  C,  Rev.,  14. 

Edward  X.,  183. 

Edward,  93. 

EUas,  56,  68. 

Elijah,  211. 

Elizabeth,  205,  206. 

Esther,  57,  173. 

Eunice,  57,  173. 

Isaac,21, 54,56,57,173,174, 195. 

James,  Sergt.  51,  218. 

Jesse,  51,  56,  63,  157. 

Jesse,  Dr.,  147. 

John,  92. 

Loraine,  218. 


Baldwin,  Lorinda,  157. 

Nathan,  40. 

Philena,  68. 

Reuben,  45. 

Richard,  42,  197. 

Sarah,  57,  163,  173,  218. 

Silas,  45,  56,  113,  114. 

Stephen,  108,  109. 

Thaddeus,  46,  48,  201. 

Timothy,  16. 

Timothy,  Capt.,  21,  46,  163. 

Willis,  206. 
Bangs,  Heman,  Rev.,  119. 

Nathan,  Rev.,  175. 
Bank  of  North  America,  85. 
Baptist  Church,  82,  89. 
Barlow,  Mary,  126,  194,  195. 
Barnett,  Rev.  E.,  177. 
Barnes,  Abraham,  52. 

Minot,  132. 
Bartholomew,  Mr.,  222. 
Bartis,  Mary,  113. 
Bailist,  Samuel,  56, 
Bartlett,  George  H,,  99. 

Henry  W.,  112,  182,  183. 
Barr,  Mrs.  E.  C,  15. 

William  J.,  15. 

Audiew.  16. 
Bas-sett  &  Smith,  73. 
Bassett  Family,  205. 

Abel,  63. 

Abram,  51,  128,  147. 

Abraham,  45.  46,  147. 

Amanda,  Mrs.,  220. 

Amos,  151,  221. 

Amos  G.,  172. 

Andrew,  87. 

Benjamin,  48,  231. 

Capt.  ElUott,  89,  119. 

Capt.  Isaac,  119,  175. 

Edward,  52. 

EdwardF.,  74, 85,102,104,139. 

Edwin,  211. 

Eliza,  199. 

Elliott  R.,  90,  101,   102,   103, 
108,  119. 

Eunice,  226. 

Ezra,  197,  199. 

George,  111,  213. 

Hannah,  211. 

Hattie.  110. 

Isaac,  151,  155,  179. 

James,  150,  151. 

Jared,  75,112, 176, 179,182,202. 

John,  Lieut.,  48. 

John  W.,   89,   103,  104,   108, 
116,  117. 

Josiah,  108,  109. 

Julius,  76,  78,  92,  112,  134. 

Lorenzo  M.,  92,  112. 

Martin  B.,  80. 

Mary,  193,  196,  199. 

Minerva,  111. 

Noyes  E.,  93. 

Phebe,  211. 


Bassett,  Philo.  209. 

Rosetta,  110.  111. 

Samuel,  9,  40,  42.  63,  71,  72. 
85,  87,  121,  128,  149. 

SaUy  B.,  176, 

Sheldon.  92. 

Truman,  223. 

Wilbur,  140,  Mrs.,  140. 

William,  63,  155. 
Bates,  EUa  A.,  216. 

Nancy,  212. 

WiUiam,  70,  120,  121,  177. 
Baytis,  Eliza,  211. 
Beach  Fasiily,  158. 

Andrew  Y.,  19,  108. 

Benjamin,  Rev., 10,11,17, 123. 

Betsey,  128. 

David,  56,  84,  89,  114,  115, 
117,  202. 

Emma  E.,  16. 

George  W.,  164. 

Jesse,  163. 

Lucy  M.,  Mrs.,  29. 

Samuel  A.,  92, 103, 104, 108, 134. 

Sharon  T„  10,  19,  72,  81,  82, 
84,  87,  89,  102,  105,  107, 
108, 116, 117, 120,  139,  152. 

Simeon,  113. 
Beach's  Paper  Mill,  81,  120. 
Beacon  Falls,  37,  39. 
Beacon  Hill,  6. 
Beard,  George,  48,  149, 1.50. 

Joseph  T.,  205. 

WiUiam,  56. 
Beardslev,  Anna,  214. 

Ira,  208. 

Moses,  209. 
Becker,  Gustave,  105. 
Beebe,  Joel,  10. 

Martin,  25. 

Sheldon,  132.    Mrs.  128. 
Beecher  Family,  221. 

Abraham,  45,  46. 

Abigail,  220. 

Burr  P.,  139. 

Edgar,  99. 

Fiank  H.,  134. 

Hannah,  198. 

Henry  B.,  74,  103,  105,  117, 
141,  174,  181,  183,  219. 

Henry  Ward,  Rev.,  221. 

Isaac,  46,  48,  198. 

Lydia,  201. 

Mary,  198. 

Philo,  82. 

Sarah,  42,  157. 
Beement,  Jonathan,  114. 
Beers,  A.  J.,  134. 

Henry  B.,  92. 
Bell,  Catharine,  15. 

Rev.  Robert  C,  15,  19,  20. 

WiUiam  15, 
BeUamy,  Rev.  Mr.,  19. 
Benedict , George  A., . 

Henry  W.,  183. 


234 


HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


Benham,  Ann,  152. 

Bennett,  92. 

Charles,  Mrs.,  128. 

Maria,  160. 

Marietta,  111. 

Mrs.  Charles,  128. 

Sarah,  109. 
Benton,  Charles,  212. 
Bennett,  Legrand,  212. 

Polly,  208. 
Bethany,  6,  41,  70. 
Bethany  Church,  127. 
Betts,  David  Jr.,   80,    101.    104, 
105,  152. 

William  F.,  102,  104. 
Bidwell,  James  H.,  77. 
Bigelow,  Lottie  E.,  118, 
Bird.seye,  Ephraim,  116. 
Bird.sey,  Dinah,  159. 
Birmingham,  38. 
Bissell,  W.  D.,  134. 
Blaek,  Nathaniel,  52. 
Bl  ckley.  Miss,  158. 
Blacliman,  Alfred,  84. 

Ethel,  132. 

John  E.,  89. 

Lucius,  79. 
Blacksmith  Shop,  58. 
Bladen's  Brook,  6,  115,  116. 
Blake,  Isaac,  116. 

Rubin,  56. 

William,  99. 
Blakeslee,  David,  52. 
BUss,  Howard,  92. 

Lemuel,  74,  155. 

Mrs.  70. 

Mrs.  Charles,  15. 

Mrs.  Emeline,  14. 
Blueville,  72,  73. 
Blydenburgh,   Rev.  Moses,  32, 

33  34   72   178. 
Board  of  Education,  107. 
Bochford,  Sarah,  206. 
Bodge,  George  E.,  92. 

John,  121,  152. 
Boeker,  Mrs.  F.,  15. 

Kev.  Edward,  25. 

Rev.  Solomon,  26. 
Bogart,  0.  M.  Jr.,  162. 
Boudinot,  Mr.,  123. 
Booth  Family,  156. 

Albert,  180. 

Anna,  208. 

Andres,  90. 

Ebenezer,  127,  208. 

Frank,  210. 

H.  Treat,  93,  134,  156,  195. 

Huldah,  129. 

Lottie  E.,  110,  117. 

Maria,  156. 

Mary  A.,  223. 

OUve  M.,  208. 

Peter,  Dr.,  156. 
Bootj-,  Edward,  132, 
Bostick,  Isaac,  113. 
Bostwick,  Daniel,  209. 

Botsfonl,  Charles  S.,  136. 

Cyius,  119, 

Ellen  E.,  203. 

Grace  E.,  13. 

Harvey  L.,  93. 

Isaac,  Capt.,  223. 

John,  45,  47. 

Lyman,  152,  186. 

Nehemiah,  16,  19. 

Nehe.miah,  Dea,,  210. 

Smith,  89,  90,  104,  111,   112, 
121,  122,  182,  183. 

Treat,  196. 
Bounties  to  Soldiers,  90,  91. 
Boutwell,  Henry,  185. 
Patience,  185. 


Boutwell,  SOence,  185. 
Bowen,  Merwin,  110, 

Rev.  Josiah,  178. 
Bower  Faaiily,  185. 

Anna,  154, 

John,  Rev.,  185,  192. 
Bowman,  James,  63. 
Bradford,  Helen,  210. 

Meicy,  204. 

William,  Major,  204. 
Bradley,  Charles,  16, 196. 

'Abigail,  224. 

Becje,  217. 

Benjamin,  218. 

Dorcas,  128. 

Edward  B.,  205. 

Elephas,  113. 

Enos,  43. 

Harriett,  218. 

E.  M.,  152. 

H.  &M.,  71. 

Henry  I.,  93. 

Henry,  71,  84,  89,  90,  101,  102, 
103,  105,  134,  139. 

Jesse,  217. 

John  H.,  99,  135. 

Leonard,  139. 

Lucretia,  225. 

Mary,  110. 

Mary  Ann,  198. 

Mer'ritt,  71,  133. 

Miss,  111. 
Bradlew,  Rev.  Charles  W.,  27. 
Bradstreet,  Humphrey,  185. 
Brassill,  Matthew,  98. 
Bray,  Rev.  John  E.,  12,  13,  19. 

'Williain  H.,  93. 
Brewster,  AbigaU,  39,  200. 

Nathaniel,  37. 

WiUiam,  204. 
Bridges,  182. 
Bristol,  Aaron,  43. 

Benjamin,  211. 

Coi"p.,  52, 

William,  110. 
Bkoadwell  Family,  172. 

Betsey,  129. 

Lewis,  63,  129. 
Bronson,  Henry,  87. 

Miles.  109. 

Rev.  David,  44. 

Rodney  O.,  93. 

Royal  L.,  93. 

Samuel  L.,  89,  104,  169. 

William,  131. 
Brown,  Chaiies,  93. 

E.  C,  134. 

Juliette,  172. 

Vincent,  217. 
Brush,  Rev.  Jacob,  174. 
Brushell,  Nathan  A.,  140. 
Bryan,  Sarah,  157. 
Buck,  Rev.  Valentine,  177. 
Buckingham,  Betsey,  215,  216. 

Edwin,  105. 

Ebenezer,  Lieut.,  45. 

Lewis,  223. 

Philo  B.,  Col.,  19,  84,  85,  87, 
88,  89,  93,  107,  133,  152. 

Samuel,  Sen.,  6. 

Samuel  W.,  139, 

"Wales  152 
Buckley,  Jas.E.,  93,  105, 134, 135. 

Owen,  93. 
Buddington,  Sophia,  169. 
Buflfiim,  William,  73,  78,  79. 
Bukley,  Hester,  188. 
Bunce,  Lewis,  77,  79,  123. 
Bungay,  47. 

George  W.,  77. 
Bunyan,  Matthias,  102,  105,  135. 
Burgoyne,  Gen.,  160. 
Burlock,  Thomas,  79. 


Bullock,  Mary  DeForest.  169. 
Burton,  Henry,  109. 
Burr,  Thaddeus,  57. 
Burritt  &  Lewis,  71. 
Burroughs,  George  W.,  99. 
Burritt,  William,  70. 
BurweU,  Catharine  C,  15,  110. 

Ruth,  47. 

Sarah,  211. 
BushneU,  Rey,  Samuel,  176. 
Business  Directory,  139. 
Butler,  Ezra,  51. 

Samuel,  105,  134,  183. 
Buxton,  Henry,  132. 

Cable,  Frederic,  170. 

Roswell,  132. 
Cadwell,  Perry,  76. 

Cady, ,  147. 

Cafliin,  John  Church,  56. 
Calkins,  Israel,  209. 
Camp's  Mortgage,  43. 
Camp  Lewis  A.,  104,  105,  135. 

N,  D.,  Hon.,  101. 

Samuel,  211. 
Candee,  Arthur  L.,  117. 

Benjamin,  131. 

Caleb,  56. 

Corp,  52. 

Daniel,  131. 

David,  128,  132. 

E.  C,  131. 

Geo.  B.,  93. 

Gid.  H.,  110. 

Isaiah,  132. 

Jennette,  226. 

Judson,  110. 

Levi,  131,  132,  133. 

Lewis  B.,  87. 

Mary,  157. 

Moses,  131,  157. 

Nancy,  157. 

Noah,  146,  147. 
Canfield  Family,  193. 

Abiel,  126,  172. 

Betsey,  172. 

Daniel,  216. 

Esther,  14,  216. 

Ezekiel,  Rev.,  176. 

Hannah,  Mrs.,  14. 

Joseph,  45,  149. 

Josiah,  Dr.,  42. 

Lucius,  218. 

Mary,  172. 

Reuben,  52. 

Roswell  C,  15. 

Samuel,  64. 

Samuel  H.103, 104, 108, 134, 139 

Sheldon,  132,  211. 

,  212. 

Capital  Punishment,  125. 
Carlson,  Carl,  147. 
Carpenter,  Coles,  Rev.,  174. 

Henry,  56. 

Pearl^  80. 

Smith,  140. 
Carrington,  Albert, 

Betsey,  220. 

Content,  222. 

Elias,  220,  222. 

Esther,  222. 

Sally,  218. 
Carroll,  Wm.,  93. 

Presiding  Elder,  178. 
Carter,  Jacob,  78. 

Mary  E.,  222. 
Cartrigh't,  Jonathan,  52. 
Case,  Annie,  129. 
Cass,  Nicholas,  93. 
Castle,  D.  C,  134. 

Martin,  146,  134. 

S.  J.,  Mrs.,  15. 
Cemeteries,  Union,  71, 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


235 


Cemetery,  Pinesliridge,  38,  39. 

Riminon,  38,  39,  1-28. 
Centennial  Ex.,  Vis.  to,  -230. 
Chadwick,  Thomas,  93. 
Chais,  Isaac,  113. 
ChambeilLn,  Betsey,  110. 

C,  Rev.,  15. 
E.  B.,  Rev.,  14. 

Henry  R.,  99,  135. 

Horatio  S.,  99.  105,  135. 

Walter,  Rev.,  208. 
Change  of  Name,  84. 
Chapman,  Amelia,  218. 

Luman,  171. 
Charter  of  the  Town,  80. 
Chatfleld,  Anson,  216. 

Benjamin,  212. 

Caleb,  52. 

Charlotte,  161,  162. 

Daniel,  4.">. 

Horace  D,,  21.3. 

Joel  1st,  25, 113,  129,  1*1,  220. 

Joel  R.,  103,  111,  112,  213. 

John,  90,  101,  102,  107. 

John  R.,  108. 

Leman,  81,  82,  83,  84, 104, 132. 

L.  ComeUa,  112.  117. 

Maria,  110. 

Mary,  111,  112,  171. 

Miss,  117. 

Oliver,  52. 

Ruth,  129. 
Cheney,  Rev.  Laban  C,  177. 
Chestnut-tree  Hill.  7. 
Chipman,  Joseph,  84,  117,  133. 
Church,  Abel,  20,  25,  56,  171. 

Anna,  130,  216. 

Henry,  197. 

John,  46. 

Laura,  129. 

Marietta,  171. 

Mary,  217. 

Sheldon,  28,  72.84,  89,  90,  105, 
129,  197. 

William,  25.  56,  73,  217. 
Churchill,  Dr.,  15. 

Hobart,  224. 

John,  56. 

Timothy,  56. 
Chuse,  17,  36,  40,  41.  59. 
Chusetown,  40,  57,  59,  17. 
Chusetown  District.  112,  115. 
( 'latlin,  George,  162. 
Clark,  Allan,"Rev.,  15.  102. 

Amos,  56,  217. 

Chauucey,  52. 

David  B.',  73,  117. 

David  M.,  132,  133. 

Edmund.  157. 

Edwin  W.,  199. 

Ellen,  172. 

EUen  M.,  110,  117. 

Elias,  56. 

Eliza,  111. 

Eunice,  168. 

George,  52,  57,  173. 

George,  Ensign,  6. 

Hannah,  160. 

Hezekiah,  39. 

Hezekiah,  Jun.,  56. 

John,  86. 

Joseph,  132. 

Laban,  Rev.,  177. 

Levy,  56. 

Maria,  156. 

Martin,  52. 

Mary  Ann,  217. 

Moses,  21,  39,  201. 

Oliver,  113. 

Patty,  197. 

P.  E.,  Mrs..  111. 

Rufus,  56. 

RnsseU,  115. 


Clark,  Sally,  161,  162,  197. 

Sheldon,  39,  227. 

Smith,  117,  132,  157. 

Susanna,  128. 

Thomas,  Sen.,  6,  40. 

Thomas,  Esq.,  45,  46,  56,  195, 
228. 

Thomas,  Capt.,  45,  46,  52. 

Thomas,  Lieut.,  128. 

Timothy,  217. 

Walter  B.,  116,  117. 

WilUam,  129. 

WiUiam  A.,  86. 

William,  Capt.,  45. 
Clement,  Eli,  94. 
demons,  Frederick  M.,  99,  105, 

108   199 
Clmghan!  Rev.  Thomas,  208.   ■ 
Clinton,  Charlotte,  164. 
Coate,  Rev.  Michael,  57,  174. 
Cochran,   Thomas,   81.    82,   105, 
116,  217. 

John,  A.,  89,  139. 
Coe,  John,  21,  45,  46,  173. 

Ruth.  173, 

John  AUyn,  173. 
Coggswell,  Egbert,  172. 

Jeremiah^  71. 
Coleman,  Rev.  James.  174. 175, 177 

John,  135. 
ColUn,  Rev.  H,  P.,  15. 
Collins,  Mrs.  Sarah,  13. 

Amos,  52. 

Abraham,  94. 
Colbert,  William,  135. 
Colt,  Anson  F.,  212. 
Cornish,  Su.sannah,  195. 

John,  195. 
Cotter  Frank,  A.,  195. 
Cortelyou,  Agues,  211. 
Condon,  Richard,  94. 
Conference  Room,  116. 
Congdon,  Jairus,  52. 
Congiegational  Church,  9. 
Connecticut  Cents,  24. 
Couvi-ette,  Frank,  219. 
Converse,  Claries  E.,  162. 
Conway,  Richard,  94. 
Coopei',  Wm.  S.,  99,  10.5,  133-4-5. 
Cook,  Elam,  217. 
Cornwall,  William.  83,  87. 

Eli,  S.,  82,  85. 
Cotton  Factory,  78. 
Cotton,  John,  186. 
Coltingham,  Miss.  117.  152. 
Cowles,  Ruth,  164. 
Cowel,  Lydia,  113. 
Cox,  Reuben,  94. 
Coxhead,  John  F.,  171. 
Crafts,  Dr.  Edward,  55,  57. 
Crawford,  Benjamin.  112. 

John,  Rev.,  113,  178. 

Joseph,  175. 
Creelman,  Eliza  M.,  16. 
Cridenton.  Worrin,  56. 
Crittenden,  Sarah,  203. 

Dr.,  203. 
Crosby,  Seth,  132. 
Cross,  Frederick,  94. 
Crowley,  Patrick,  135. 
Crozier,  Richard,  207. 

William,  207. 
Sarah.  207. 
Culver,  MUes,   16,  19,  71,  84,  ,88, 
106,  129. 
Laura,  Mrs.,  14. 
Stephen  H.,  103,105.112,117. 
Crummy,  Dennis,  94. 
Currency  in  1695,  8. 
Cm-ry,  W.  C,  204. 
Curtiss,  Amy,  210. 
Eunice.  i67. 
Joanna,  167. 


Curtiss,  John,  35. 

Joseph,  167. 

Julia,  158. 

Maria,  214. 

Olive,  154,  167. 

Simeon,  195. 

Simon,  109. 

Susan,  210. 

William  B.,  Rev.,  13,  19,  7t). 
78,  79,  179. 

William  E.,  94. 
Cushen,  Martha  M.,  205. 
Cushman,  Mr.,  1.57. 
Cutts,  Rev.  Wm.,  127. 
Cypher,  Thomas,  157. 
Dachester,  George,  52. 
Daggett,  Judge  David,  127. 
Dantbrth,  Thomas,  185. 
Daniels,  John  L.,  74,  76,  132. 

Charles,  1,52. 
Dart,  WiUiam,  209. 
Daughters  of  Temperance.  78. 
Davenport,  Rev.  Mr.,  188. 
Davis  Family,  170. 

Alva,  77,  176. 

Anna,  176. 

Anson,  106, 108. 

BeAJamin,  25.  47,  57,  210. 

Betty,  215. 

Charles  H.,  94. 

Clark,  Capt.,  198. 

Daniel,  25,  47.  217. 

Elizabeth,  202. 

Ella,  117. 

Emerett,  213. 

Harpin,  134. 

Henry,  102,  104,  107,  108. 

Henry  P.,  105,117,134,204.205 

Henry  W.,  94,  103. 

Isaac  B..  75,  82,  84,  105,  219. 

James,  79. 

John,  l.st,  45.  46.  90. 

John,  2nd.  198. 

John,  3rd,  101.  105,  117.  134. 

John,  Col.,  170. 

Joseph,  46,  195,  198. 

L.,  110. 

LiUv,  172. 

Lvctia,  212. 

Marcus,  109,  137,  172. 

Martha  E.,  110. 

Mary  E.,  198. 

Miss,  110. 

Mrs.  Henry  P.,  13. 

Mrs.  Naomi,  193. 

Nancy,  161. 

Nathan.  131. 

PoUy,  176. 

Reuben,  113,  176. 

SaUy,  210. 

Samuel  P.,  102,  103,  105.  107, 
108,  133,  149,  211. 

Sarah,  208. 

Sheldon,  56. 

Sophia.  110. 

Truman,  Capt.,  198,  212,  213. 

Virginia,  110. 

Zerah  B.,  94. 
Dawson,  John,  Jr.,  224. 

Kate,  209. 
Day,  Austin  G.,  123,  143. 
'  Edmund,  104,  107,  108. 

H.  P.  &E,,  123,  142,  180. 

Henry  P.,  104. 

Zelotes,  86. 
Darton.  Capt.  Ebeuezer,  .">        '■ 
146,  147. 

Mrs.,  146,  174. 

Phebe,  113,  129. 

Mary,  158. 
Deal,  Charles,  113. 
Deery,  Marv  R.,  118. 
DeForest  fcHodge,  73,  122. 


236 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUE. 


DeForest,  Andrew,  "W.,  16,  71, 
77,  220. 

David,  45,  46. 

George  F.,  19,  83-4-5-6-7,  116. 

George  W.,  116. 

H.  A'.,  20. 

John  H.,  68,  69,  115,129,  132. 

William,  85. 
Derby  Journal,  73. 
Dereiuore,  Joseph,  52. 
Denuey,  Mrs.  Harriett  E.,  14. 
Dennisou,  Sarah,  225. 
Denniston,  Rev.  Eli,  177. 
Devil's  Jump,  6. 

William,  79,  82. 
DeWolte,  Alva  G.,  131. 

Huldah,  15. 

Mrs.  Lucy,  15. 
Dibble,  Capt.  Amadeus.  63,  112, 
113,  129. 

Mary,  129. 

Kaymoud,  129. 

William  W.,  112,  134,  163. 
Dickerman,  Capt.  Isaac,  43,  44. 
Dickinson,  Kev.  Frederick,  207. 

Lydia,  207. 
Dike,  Veren,  131. 
Divine,  G.  W.,  73-4,101-2-3-5,133. 

Mrs.  G.  W.,  140. 
Dolittle,  Huldah,  202. 

Jane,  111. 

Samuel,  146,  147. 
Domingo,  Chas.,  94. 
Donahue,  Patrick,  94. 
Dorman,  Amos,  113. 

Walter  W.,  16. 
Dorothy,  Rhoda,  158. 
Douglass,  Chas.,  87. 
Downing,  Mary,  166. 

Hon.  Emanuel,  166. 

Sir  George,  166. 
Downs,  Albert  J.,  199. 

Edward  S.,  135. 

Emma  J.,  117. 

James,  201. 

Jarvis,  113. 
Downs  &  Sanford,  79. 
Drake,  George,  220. 
Diiscol,  Jeremiah.  135. 
Driver,  Darius,  220. 

James,  71. 

Polly,  210. 

Samuel,  220. 
Dunham,  Albert  B.,  104,  140. 

Henry  A.,  139. 
Dunn,  Mary,  198. 
DuRAND  Family,  159. 

Anna,  129. 

Charles,  14,  33,  87. 

David,  175. 

Ebenezer,  52. 

Elizabeth,  110. 

Frederick,  101,  107,  110,  111, 
117,  118,  152,  183,  183. 

Jereniiah,  32,  69,  116,  216. 

Joseph,  129. 

Mrs.  B.  M.,  13. 

Polly,  205,  216. 

Samuel,  52,  129,  175. 
Dutcher,  Rev.  E.  H.,  181. 
Dutton,  Thomas  A.,  132. 
Dwight,  Pros,  of  Yale,  12,60,125. 

John  W.,  72,  79,  83,  86,  87. 

Timothy, 72,  83,85,  86,87, 120. 
Dwight  &  i'rench,  78,  80,79, 196. 
Dyer,  William,  212. 

Eagle  Manufacturing  Co.,  85. 
Easou,  Frances,  196. 
Kastman,  Vospatian,  52. 
Katou,  Gov.,  188. 
Edwards,  Charles,  131,  134. 


Edwards,  George  S.,  139. 

Pierpont,  127, 

Timothy,  Rev.,  166. 
Ells,  Samuel,  6. 
Eggleston,  Horatio  N.,  104. 
Electors  of  Seymour,  135. 
Elliot,  Gustavus  R.,  203. 

Jcseph,  186. 
Ellis  Family,  164. 

Thomas,  115,  177,  178. 

William  H.,  86. 
Ely,  George  W.,  162. 
Emancipation,  48. 
Emory,  Rev.  Nathan,  174,  176. 
English,  Abel,  108,  109. 

Abraham,  26. 

Abrim,  151. 

Benjamin,  108,  109,  159. 

Benoui,  Rev.,  175. 

Dorcas,  211. 

Judson,  69,  119,  199. 
Eno,  William  S.,  164. 
Episcopal  Church,  18,  25. 
Evans,  David  Jr.,  218. 

Richard,  15. 

Fairchild,  Abiel,  38,  42. 

Anna,  170. 

Ebenezer,  89, 105,  137,  140. 

JuUa  A.,  110. 

Mi.ss,  111. 

Nathan  B.,  132. 

Ruth,  169. 

Nathaniel,  40. 

Sarah,  156. 

William  A.,  102,  105. 

Zachariah,  45,  150. 
Fairfield,  37. 

Falls  of  the  Naugatuck,  5,  40,  41. 
Farrell,  Frank,  87. 

Loren,  94. 
Farrington,  Rhoda,  210. 
Fengot  Coal  Co.,  102. 
Fenn,  Benjamin,  fi. 
Fenton,  Moses,  151. 
Ferguson,  Rev.  Samuel  D.,  177. 
Field,  Julius,  Rev.,  177,  183. 
Fields,  Benjamin  Anson,  210. 
Fife,  Mrs.  WiUiam  T.,  15. 
Finch,  Joel.  129. 

Harvey,  218. 
Fisher,  Ebenezer,  114-15,120,  132. 

James  E.,  89,  152. 
Fisler,  Rev.  Beu,jamin,  174. 
Fitch,  Rev.  J.  W.,  15. 
Fitzpatrick,  Hugh,  94. 
Five  Mile  Brook,  7. 
Foot,  Corporal,  52. 
Foote,  Elihu  D.,  153. 
Ford,  Clark,  73,  100. 

Hattie  M.,  15. 

Jared  K.,  154. 

Lyman  H.,  137. 

Samuel  C,  155. 

Sarah,  221. 
Forque,  Frances,  21. 
Forsey,  John  T.,  203. 
Foster,  T.,  121. 
Four  Mile  Brook,  7. 
Fowler,  Abram,  212. 

C.  A.,  110. 

Catharine,  226. 

De  Grasse,  94. 

George,  222. 

George,  Mrs.,  14,  15. 

Jane,  109. 

John,  Capt.,  43. 

Luther,  109. 
Fox,  Amos,  52. 

Huldah,  160. 
Freeman,  Richard,  113. 
Freemasonry,  131. 
Freemen  in  1708,  7. 


French  Family,  154. 

Ado'niiah,  101,  102,  105. 

Alfred,  133. 

Carlos,  65,89,102,  104,108,  139 

Charles,  25,  40,  41,  42,  45,  94, 
113,  134,  198. 

David,  41. 

David,  Esq.,  127,  129. 

Enoch,  56,  113,  129. 

Francis,  41,  157,  187. 

Hannah,  217,  129. 

Harpin  R.,  94. 

Harriet,  195. 

Herman,  B.,  94. 

Hobart,  95. 

Israel,  25,   41,  101,   102,  103, 
105,  112,  113,  127,  133. 

John  W.,  95,  170. 

Laura,  111. 

Lydia,  187. 

Mary,  157. 

Nancy,  129. 

Nathaniel,  45,  129. 

Noah,  45. 

Raymond,  2,    10,  17,  42,   69, 
'  70,    71,  72,    79,  83,  85,  86, 
87,  102,  121,  195. 

Raymond,  Mrs.,  15. 

Rebecca,  151. 

Samuel,  35,  45,  129. 

Wales,  71,  182. 

Walter,  50.  175. 

Warren,  74,  152,  181-2-3,  198. 

WUliam,  129. 
French  &  Dwight,  78. 
French,  R.  &  Co.,  73. 
French,  Swift  &  Co.,  74,  79,  83. 
Freshets,    70,  71,    74,  81,    83,   84, 

89,  101,  102. 
Fiiendly  Sons  of  St.  Patrick,  135 
Frisbie,"  Job.,  186,  187. 

E.  H.,  180. 
Fuller,  Elizabeth,  164. 

George  L.,  Rev.,  119, 178, 182 

John,  225. 

Gainsby,  E.,  78. 
Galpin,  Frederick,  208. 
Garrettson,  Rev.  Freeborn,  174-5 
Gay,  Prof.,  83,  118. 
Gaylord,  Ranson,  74. 

'  William,  87. 
Geissler,  Robert  H.,  95. 
Gerard,  Frank  C,  100,  105. 
Gerlrag,  Wm.,  129, 132,  133. 
Gilbert,  EUas,  64,  113,  114,  196. 

Esther  Ann,  168,  169. 

Ezekiel,  69,  71,  73,  129. 

Isaac  J.,  116. 

Levi,  155. 

Sarah  E.,  110. 
Gilbert,  Beach  &  Co.,  120. 
Gilbert  &  Wooster,  70. 
Gillette  Family,  199. 

Anson,  119,  175. 

Chas.,  110. 

EU,  89,  103,  108,  137,  212. 

Ephraim,  53. 

Jeremiah,  25. 

W.  A.,  151. 

Wm.,  201. 
Gilyard,  Anna,  129. 
"  Lois,  176. 

Nancy,  205,  206,  116,  120. 

Sarah,  213. 

Thomas,  62,  63,  115,  129, 175, 
176,  182,  183. 

William,  38,  41,  112,  213. 

Givens, ,  210. 

Gleason,  M.  A.,  111. 
Glendining,  Geo.  B.,  77,  78,  118, 
132,  133. 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


237 


(IkutUning,  Nancy  H.,  77. 
Glendinmg  Academy,  77,78,  i:0. 

Glover. ,  156. 

Goddaid,  William  W.,  87. 
Goodrich,  Elizabeth,  22.=). 

Elizur,  63. 
GoodseU,  Dan,  224. 
GortUn,  WiUiam,  47. 
Goi'ham,  Jcseph,  35. 
Gough,  John  B.,  77. 
Graham,  Alexander,  146. 

Andrew  S.,  108,  103. 

George  E.,  127. 
Granbv  Copper,  23. 
Grand" Li,st  of  Seynioui.  (ii).  103. 
Granniss,  Isaac,  225. 

Sarah,  226. 

Thankful,  226. 
Gray,  Rev.  Mr.,  15. 
Great  Hill  Ecclesiastical  Soc. ,  231 
Great  Hill  M.  E.  Church,  119. 
Great  Hill  Road,  40. 
Great  Hill  School,  19.  47,  108. 
Green,  James.  152. 

Sarah  M.,  171. 

Setb,  132. 
Gregory,  Hyatt.  95. 

Joliu,  224. 
Grogan,  "W"m.,  95. 
Griffin,  Jolin,  25. 
Grissell,  Jeremiah,  56. 
GriswoLl,  Rev.  Samuel.  26. 
Gunn,  Abel,  43,  186. 

Abigail,  Mrs..  47. 

George,  132. 

Simon,  56. 

Haines,  Chauncey,  132. 
Hall,  Col.  Benjamin,  43. 
Hallisan,  Harvey,  S.,  134. 

William.  lOO'  133. 
Han.  Michael.  1.56. 
Hanford,  Mr.,  185. 
ITanley,  John,  95. 

Samuel,  40. 
Hard,  Charles,  F.,  15,  137. 

Cornelius,  137. 

EUen,  C,  16,  110. 

James,  7. 

Lydia,  A.,  16. 

Mary,  226. 
Harden,  Jonah,  56.  129. 
Harding,  James,  106. 
Harder,  Alfred,  132. 

Ebenezer,  7. 

Edward,  47. 

Heurv,  110. 
Harris,  Mrs.  A.  A..  15. 

Reuben,  Rev.,  174. 
Harrison,  Rev.  Mr.,  14. 

Sarah,  164. 
Hart,  John  M.,  132,  133. 
Hartshorn,  Jes.se,  63. 
Hartson,  John  L.,  82.  134. 

Lynian,  182. 
nassiikce  Meadow  Brook, 47,231, 

232. 
Haswell,  James  G.,  172. 
Hatch,  Chauncy  M.,  63, 132,  133. 
Hatte,  Matilda,  129. 
Havemever,  William  H.,  163. 
Hawes,  David,  109. 
Hawkins,  Abraham,  4.^  47. 

Bet.sey,  198. 

Elizafieth,  198. 

Freegift,  45. 

Jane,  210. 

John,  38. 

Joseph,  38,  56,  150. 

Philo,  223. 

Polly,  212. 

Sara,  Mrs.,  201. 

Sarah,  206. 


Hawkins,  Silas,  214. 
Triunan,  108. 
Zachariah,  209. 

,  150. 

Hawley,  Beiyamin,  25. 
David,  199. 
Elizabeth,  156. 
John,  150. 
Samuel,  40,  207. 
Samuel,  Rev. ,3127. 

William,  95. 
Hayden,  Richard  E.,  95. 
Hayes,  Edward,  25. 

Eli,  77. 

Nancy,  211. 

WiUiam,  135. 
Hayman,  Mrs.  Charlotte,  16. 
Healey,  Robert.  100,  134,205,206. 
Hebard,  Rev.  Elijah,  175. 
Hedden,  Thomas  M.,  132. 
HeUman,  Phillip,  140. 
Hemingway,  Samuel,  158. 
Hendryx,  James,  W.,  95. 

W.  E.,  76,117,134,135,156,183. 
Hendryx  &  Peck,  103. 
Henry,  Susan,  172.  215. 
Hermance,  Miss,  101,  118. 
HiCKOx  Family,  169. 

Elizabeth,  129. 

Harriet,  155. 

Jo.siah,  167. 

Sarah,  167. 

Samuel  R., 69, 79,82, 84,111-12. 
115-6,  127,  177,  182.  183. 
High  School,  77,  83,  101. 
High  School  Association,  85. 
High  School  Room,  102. 
Highways,  52,  60,  124. 
Hifi,  Maria,  159. 

Mary  A.,  16. 

WUliiim  T.,  Rev..  179. 
Hill  street,  87. 
Hilton,  John,  1.34. 
Hine,  Amos,  21.  75,  179. 

Arlon,  220. 

Samuel  B.,  114. 

Sylvester,  15. 

William,  56. 
Hinman,  Jesse  L.,  173. 

Maria,  209. 

Molly,  206. 

Philo,  21. 

Simeon,  109. 

WiUiam.  133. 
Hitchcock  Fajqly.  220. 

Betsey,  154. 

Burritt,  72,  77,  182,  217. 

Daniel,  132. 

Denzel,  69,  82,  115,  170. 

Gad,  132. 

John,  44. 

Jonathan,  45,  48. 

Jo.seph,  100,  183. 

Lucy,  57,  173. 

Sanmel,  200. 

Sheldon,  176. 

Timothy,  66,  129,176,182,223, 

Urania,  176. 
Hoadlev,  Edward  L.,  90,  105. 

William,  187. 
Hobart,  Right  Rev.  John  H.,  26. 
Hodge,  George  L..  72,  82.  120. 

Mrs.,  117. 

Robert,  202. 

Thomas,  225. 
Hodge  &  Co.,  72,  120. 
Hog's  Meadow  Ptuchase,  53. 

HOLBROOK  FAJOLY,  160. 

Abel,  82,  89,90,104-5,110,1.50. 

CjTus,  212. 

Daniel,  Capt.,  47.    48,  .52,  63. 

72,  129,  176. 
Daniel,  Col.,  161. 


Holbrook,  Daniel,  Jr.,  112,  113. 
Daniel  L.,  81,  82. 
Daniel,  4th,  42,  45-6,  56,  82,  84. 
Daniel,  .5th,  197. 
Esther,  211. 
Gracie,  197. 
John,  43,  219. 

John,  Capt.,  45,  46,  ,52,  160. 
Lois,  129. 
Louis,  10. 
Maria,  Mrs.,  13. 
Nathan,  101,  105,  108. 
Nathaniel,  25,  150,  151. 
Philo,  25,  85,  150. 
Philo,    Capt.,  46,    72,  82.    84, 

86,  102-3-4-5,  213. 
Richard,  151. 
Sarah,  71. 

Thomas  W.,  28,  160. 
WUliam  E.,  111. 
Holcomb,  Annie,  111. 

John  W.,  95,  204,  205. 
Holden,  Mrs.  Fidelia  E.,  13.  14. 
Holeren,  James,  95, 
Holland,  Charles  B.,  95. 
HoUoway,  John,  140. 
Holmes,  "Samuel,  87. 
William  K.,  133. 
Homan,  George  W.,  95. 
Hooker,  Chauncey,  218. 
Holt,  Abigail,  225". 
Hopkins,  Dr.  Samiiel,  38. 

Lois,  201. 
Hosmer,  Stephen  T.,  131. 
Hotchkiss,  A.  T.,  110.  111. 
Charles  T.,  111. 
David,  116. 
EUas,  79. 

Harriet,  15.  201,  202. 
Harvey,  101,  105.  137. 
Hepsibah,  225. 
Levi,  Lieut.,  47. 
Lucy,  217. 
Lydia,  154, 
Mary,  225. 
Mary  A.,  117. 
Mr.,  75. 
Nancy,  161. 
Reuben  H.,  87. 
Samantha,  218. 
Thomas,  21. 
HoughtaUing,  Charles  D..  147. 
Housatonic  Valley,  125. 
Howard,  James,  102,  108. 
Howd,  Edward,  45,  46,  63,  78. 
John,  40-1-2-5-6-8.  57-9. 
Samuel,  205. 
Howe,  Lydia,  224. 
Sir  William,  123. 
Sybil,  164. 
V^illiam,  123. 
Howland,  Andrew,  Mrs.,  159. 

Rev.  Seneca,  179. 
Hubbard,  Abraham,  Capt.,  161. 

Calvin  A.,  95. 
HubbeU,  Betsey,  224. 
Hart  C,  171. 
Lewis,  46. 
Phebe,  A.,  15. 

,  209. 

Hughes,  William  A..  78,134.  183. 
Hull  Family,  172. 
Abijah,  26,  46,  195. 
Alfred,  16,  19. 
Andrew,  159. 
Benjamin,  63. 
Isaac,  64. 

John  Clark,  89.  211. 
Joseph,  35,  40,  41,  59. 
Juliette,  Mrs.  15. 
Miss,  111. 
Samuel,  46,  56. 
Sarah,  199. 


238 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


HiillWrn.  M..  14,  79,  86,  llfi,  174. 
Hiilse,  Joseph,  5'2. 
Humastou,  Roswell,  82. 
Himiphiey  &  Wooster,  71,  79. 
Humplney,  proposed  uame,84,89 
Humphrey  Lodge,  Nc.  26,  K.  of 

P.,  134. 
Humphreys,  Aarou,  Rev.,  '26. 
Bernard,  220. 
Cyrus,  133.  170. 
D„  Rev.,  17,  45,  48,54,  188. 
David,    Gen.,   11,  17,  49,  59, 
64,  65,  113,  114,  120,  126, 
128,  129,  188. 
David,  2ud,  129. 
David,  3rd,  129. 
David's,  G-en.,  Flag,  65. 
Elijah,  69. 
George,  124. 
John,  47,  52,  68,  69. 
John,  Ensign,  46,  47. 
John,  Jr.,  Hon.,  129,  114. 
John,  Lieut.,  52. 
William,  69,  11.5,  129. 
Hiim]ihrpy8ville,  60. 
Hunii)livey.sville  Acatlemy,  77. 
Huniphrcysville  Copper  Co.,  79. 

83,  87. 
Humphreysville  Graveyard  As- 
sociation, 71. 
Humphreysville  Greys,  73, 
Humphreysville     High    School 

Alssociation,  85. 
Humphreysville  Library  Co. ,87. 
Humphreysville  Lyceum,  74. 
Humphreysville  Mfg.  Co.,  68,70, 

85,  120. 
Humphreysville  &  Salem  Turn- 
pike Co.,  86. 
Humphreyaville     Total    Absti- 
nence Society,  76. 
Humphries,  Rev. Humphrey,  178 
Hunt,  Rev.  Jesse,  175. 

Aaron,  Rev.,  174,  175. 
Huntington,  Miss,  152. 

Nathaniel,  Rev.  G.,  219. 
Hurd,  Anna,  194-5-6. 
Charity,  211. 
Harriett,  199. 
Henry  G.,  102,  105. 
James  W.,  132. 
Sarah,  129. 
Sheldon,  82,  121. 
Silas,  109. 
William,  131. 
WUson,  25,  151. 
Zedock,  196. 
Hurlburt,  Charles  R.,  152. 
Mary  A.,  16. 
Oiill'a  E.,  14. 
Thomas,  95,  137. 
Hutchinson,  Rev.  Sylvester,174. 
Hyatt,  Daniel,  132. " 
Hyde,  Abi,jah,  70,  77,  170. 
Charles  L.,  82. 
Edwin,  157. 
Marcus.  110. 
Mr.,  77. 
Orson,  77. 

lies,  Charles,  95. 
Indians,  31  to  37. 
Indian  Lands,  Sale  of,  5.  6,  7,  63, 

40,  41,  42. 
Indian  Lands,  Vahie  of,  5. 
Inesou,  Joseph,  100,  135. 
Isbell,  Sarah,  219. 

Jadcson,  Andrew,  95. 
Jagger,  Rev.  Ezra,  178. 
James,  Cornelius  W.,  101-2-3-5-7, 
134. 
George  A.,  198. 


James,  John,  208. 

Thomas,  87,  89,  108,  1.52. 
Janes,  Bishop,  179. 
Jardine,  Mr.,  27. 
Jayne,  Rev.  Petei',  174. 
Jennings,  Eunice,  212. 
Jewett,  Rev.  Stephen,  27,  69. 
Jocelyn,  Rev.  Augustus,  174. 
Johnson  Family,  200. 
Abner,  55,  231. 
Alexander,  25,  38,  39,  129. 
Amaritta,  199. 
Ann,  220. 
Asahel,  21,  45. 
Benajah,  37,  38,   41,  128.  129. 
Bertha  E.,  16. 
Capt.,  156. 
Charles,  35. 
Chauncey,  56,  113,  129. 
Cynthia,' 176. 
Daniel,  146,  147. 
David,  16,  45,  56,  74,  75,  112, 

128,  197. 
Ebenezer,  6,  36,45,  48,113,200 
Ebenezor  B.,  21,  112. 
Ebenezer,  Capt.,  7. 
Ebenezer,  Col.,  8.  35,  129. 
Ebenezer,  Maj.,  7. 
Eleanor,  129. 
Elijah,  39,  .56,  129. 
Elizabeth,  196. 
Gideon,  21,  41,  42,  45,  47. 
Hannah,  35,  39. 
Hannah  P„  10. 
Harvey,  212,  223. 
Henry  C,  84,  304. 
Henry  S.,  89,  104. 
Hepsibah,  129,  176. 
Hezekiah,  112,  113,  129. 
Hiram,  82. 

Isaac,  10,  51,  53,  113,  194. 
Jesse,  Rev.,  .57,  113,  114,  121, 

173,  176,  129,  206. 
James  D.,  216. 
Jesse,  Jr.,  113,  130. 
Joseph,  25,  112,  113,  114.  130. 
Levi,  56,  197. 
Lois,  194,  129. 
Lucy,  155. 
Mabel,  194,  198. 
Nathaniel,  Capt.,    25,  26,  42, 

46,  48,  51. 
Newel,  69,  114,  115,  121,  132. 
Olive,  57,  174. 
Peter,  48. 
Phebe,  128. 
Philo,  45. 
Phineas,  51. 
Sally,  205,  206. 
Sarah,  38,  128,  129,  161, 
Sheldon  C,  29,  79.  139,  168. 
Silas,  57,  173. 
Stiles,  68,   113,  114,  130,  175, 

182 
Timothy,  25,  35,  37,39,  56.130 
WilUam  B.,  95,  183. 
Zerviah,  130. 
Jones,  Anna,  204. 

Chester,  69,  70,  113,  114,  115, 

116,  132,  204. 
Ruth,  159. 
Sarah,  10,  204. 
Jones  &  Keeney,  113. 
Joy,  Jesse,  132, 133. 

WilUam  W.,  222. 
Judd,  Appalina,  217. 
Chauency,  146. 
Ebenezer,  38. 
Lewis,  87,  102. 
Martha,  Mrs.,  196. 
Rachel,  164. 
Ralph,  95. 
Randall,  168. 


Judson,  Anna,  213. 

David,  209. 

Joshua,  213. 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  105. 

Kalmia  Mills,  103,  104. 
Keast,  Catharine,  213. 
KeUeher,  John,  216. 
Kelley,  John,  56. 

Martin,  89,  134. 
Kellogg,  Bela,  Rev.,  9,  12,  13, 19. 

Nathaniel,  Rev.,  177. 
Kelsey,  Charles  D.,  100. 

G.T.,  100. 
Kelsie,  Corydon,  208. 

Dotha,  213. 
Kendall,  Jcshua,  15,  16,  69,  74, 
76,   78,   89,  104,  107,  108, 
135,  102,  103,  139,  198. 

Rhoda,  1,52,  110. 
Kennedy,  AdeUa,  198. 
Kershaw,  Henry,  152. 
Ketchum,  Rev.  Joel,  174. 
Kilgore,  Arthur,  118. 
Killon,  John,  110. 
Kimberly,  Jerred,  213. 

Libeity,  55. 

Thomas,  186. 
KiNKEY  Family,  215. 

Abraham,  130. 

Betsey  Ann.,  159. 

Ebenezer,  59,  40,41,47,45,194. 

Esther  A.,  219. 

Isaac,  27,  29,  69,  130,  116, 159 

Lydia,  57,  113. 

Medad,  21. 

Milo,  195. 

Nancy,  219. 

Roswell  N.,  13,  14,  105. 

Sheldon,  16,  19,  79,  82,  83,  86, 
87,  196. 

William,  16,    47,  68,  69,  130, 
Kinneytown  Dam,  72. 
Kirtland,  Elijah,  130. 

George,  35,  69,  70, 115,  183. 

Mrs.,  181. 
Knowles,  Isaa^,  43. 

Ladd,  Josie  E.,  110. 

Theodore  S.,  19,  105,  147, 18.3. 
Ladue,  Julia  A.,  218. 
Lake,  Augusta  Ann,  206. 

Catharine  A.,  206. 

Miss,  215. 

Phedina,  208. 

Samuel,  212. 
Lane,  Brothers,  178. 

John,  211,  130. 
Langdon,  Rhoda  L.,  205. 
Lathrop,  Augusta,  Mrs.,  15. 

Simon,  96. 
Leach,  James,  51,  52,  113. 
Leaming,  J.  Fisher,  68. 
Leavenworth,  Calvin,  64. 

George,  134. 

Isaac,  64. 

John,  35. 

JuUa,  111. 

Mark,  Rev.,  38. 

PoUy,  215. 

Thomas,  56,  201. 
Lebanon  Brook,  6. 
Lee,  Cyrus,  121. 

Jesse,  Rev.,  119,  173,  174. 

Mary,  164. 

Robert,  176,  182. 

WiUiam,  96. 
Leek,  Betsey,  152. 
LeForge,  Henry,  120,  132. 
Leigh,  Anna,  212. 

Lewis  E.,  96. 
Leonard,  Mrs.  S.  C,  16. 

Rev.  S.  C,  135. 


HISTOEY  OF  SEYMOUE. 


239 


LesseU,  Rev.  E.  J.  K.,  96. 
Lester,  George  E.,  U,  19,  134. 

Murray,  157. 

Sarah, "157. 
Lewis,  Edward,  71. 

Eleazer,  45, 151. 

Enuly  J.,  208. 

Geo.  G.,  202. 

Maria,  211. 

Vinie  A.,  208. 
Lewis,  E.  <fc  Co.,  79. 
Lindley,  Curtis,  72. 
LLndsley,  Isaac,  82. 

Israel,  224. 

John,  71,  109,  110,  152. 

Miss,  117. 

Sabra,  88. 

Sarah,  110. 
Lines,  Calvin,  112. 

James,  52. 

Joseph,  21. 

Lois,  154. 

Sarah  M.,  16. 

Washington  I.,  140. 

Zebulon,  56. 
Lingham,  Rebecca, 
Lissberger,  Lazarus,  87. 
Little  River,  7. 
Llewellyn,  Evan,  70,  152. 
Lockwdod.  Charles  L.,  162. 

Elizabeth  O.,  16,  112. 

Emma,  15. 

Henry  B.,  15. 

Mary,  Mrs.,  15. 
Long  Plain,  47. 
Lopus,  39. 

Lord.  Frederick,  152. 
Losee,  Elijah,  152,  218. 

Isaac,  16,  64,  76,  115,  140. 

WUliam.  Mrs.,  14. 
LouNSBUEY  Family,  217. 

Albert  W.,96, 117, 182, 183,208 

Crownage,  152. 

David,  i52. 

"Ethel,  56. 

Francis,  15. 

Henry  W.,  96. 

John  L.,  63. 

Levi,  16. 

Linns,  51. 

Mark,  152. 

Timothy,  Dr.,  220. 

Victory,  223. 
Lovejoy,  John,  Eev.,  177. 
Loveland,  Arnold,  131. 

Ashbel,  21,  45,  52. 

Joseph,  45. 

Sarah,  41,  154. 

Ti-umau,  21,  51. 
Lowe,  William  E.,  162. 
Lucket,  David,  96. 
Luckey,  Rev.  John.,  177. 

Samuel,  177. 
Ludlow,  Roger,  37. 

Sarah,  38. 
Lues,  Ebenezer,  150. 
Lnm,  Adam,  131. 

Bennett,  109. 

Clark,  110,  111,  216. 

Edwin  A.,  159. 

Eliza,  110. 

Enos,  Capt.,  147. 

Frank  M.,  134. 

Grace,  212. 

Hannah,  193,  196. 

John,  Capt.,  149. 

John,  Jr.,  150,  151. 

Josejjh,  Capt.,  45. 

Jonathan,  7,  40, 150,  172,  201. 

Jonathan,  Jr.,  48. 

Mr.,  (teacher),  117. 
Philo,  109. 
Reuben,  25,  151,  212. 


Lum,  Sarah,  172,  206. 

Sarah,  Mrs.,  160. 

WiUiam,  Capt.,  216. 

William  D.,  109,  147. 
Lyman,  Annie  E.,  16. 

I.  H.,  86. 

Johnathan,  Rev.,  44,  52. 

Mary,  205. 
L5Tich,  Rev.  James,  84. 
LjTide,  Duane  M.,  96. 
Lyon,  Jonathan,  174. 

Mary  L.,  172. 

Zabnon,  Rev.,  174,  175. 
Lyons,  Charles  B.,  96. 

Magill,  Dr.  WiUiam,  204. 
Mahoney,  Daniel,  135. 

Patrick,  135. 

William,  135. 
Mallett,  Betsey,  204. 

Frances,  171. 

Mary  J.,  171. 

Stephen  S.,  152. 
Mallory,  Edmund,  217. 

LeverettP.,  117,  152. 

Nathan,  52. 

Samuel,  170. 

Sophia,  171. 

William,  117,  183. 
Mansfield.  Betsey,  199. 

Eliza,  110. 

Jared,  151. 

Nathan,  25,  45.  150,  210,  212. 

Rev.  Ml-.,  197. 
Manville,  James.  25,  150. 
Marchant,  John,  167. 

Marks, ,  209. 

Marshall,  John  P.,  74. 
Martin,  Anna  C,  114. 

Isaac  N.,  79. 

Jethro,  51. 

MUenna,  155. 

Ml-.,  75. 

Selima,  168. 
Mather,  Mrs.  Esther,  166. 

John  P.  C,  81. 
Matthews,  Lois,  168. 

James  R.,  100. 
Mauwehu,  Eunice,  17,  36. 

Joseph,  17,  32,  33,  40,  51,  59. 

Richaid,  Dr.,  25,  26,  44,  145. 
McArthur,  Albert,  96. 
McCarthy,  Chai'les.  135. 

Daniel,  135. 
McCombs,  Rev.  Laiu-ence,  174. 
McCormick,  96. 
McCoy,  Henry,  155. 
McEwen,  David  J.,  132. 133,  208. 

Virgil  H., 104, 106,107.108,134 

Wooster  B.,  135. 

,  208. 

McEwen  &  Camp,  139. 
McGary,  Henry  A.,  132. 
McGraw,  Saiah  H.,  226. 
McKay,  Kate.  111. 
McLain,  Lottie,  208. 
McMorrow,  Francis.  135. 
McNumey,  Michael,  140. 
McSpaiTen,  Clark,  204. 
Meacham,  Mary  F.,  110. 
Mechanics'  Lodge,  I.O.O.F..  134 
Meigs,  Charles,  198. 

Samuel,  80,  108,  132. 
Merino  Sheep,  59. 
Meriiam,  Olive,  13. 
Merrick,  Capt.,  121. 

George  H.,  82,  85, 87, 112. 
W.  J.,  134. 
Merwin,  Rev.  Samuel,  9,  177. 

Lucy  S.,  118. 
Meteorological  Notes,  76. 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  18, 
37. 


Methodist    Episcopal    Church. 
Bequest  to,  68. 

Deeds  to,  66,  75. 

Description  of,  74. 

Hi,story  of,  173-183. 

Maples  bv,  77. 
Middlel)iu:y,  125. 
MUes,  Jonathan,  25.    42,  46,    47, 
130,  149, 195. 

Millv,  212. 

Shelflon,  140,  182,  183. 

Theophilus,  25.  26,541,  47,  51, 
64,  130,  195. 
MOIer,  David,  Rev.,  176,  178. 

John  H.,  140,  219. 
Military  Titles,  8. 
Militia,  56. 

Officers  of,  7. 
Mills,  Caroline,  210. 

Rev.  J.  L.,  15. 
Minor,  George,  158. 

John,  156. 

Phebe,  168. 

Thomas  B..  135. 
Mitchell,  Samuel  W.,  .56. 

WiUiam  G.,  134. 
Mix,  Rev.  Stephen,  166. 
Morgan,  Charles.  132. 

Nathan  W.,  l71. 
Morning  Star  Lodge,  No.  47,  F. 

&  A.  M.,  131. 
Morris,  Adoniiah,  324. 

Luzon  B.,  74,  84,  87,  104,  107. 

Martha,  118. 

Major,  52. 

Sarah,  196. 

Sheldon,  170. 

WiUiam,  100, 131,  132,  133. 
Moshier,  John  S.,   27,  64,  73,  97, 
121, 132,  198. 

Howard  F.,  213. 
MouLTHROP  Family,  224. 

Benjamin,  222. 

Lewis,  223. 

Seba,  56,  113,  114. 
Moulton,  Russell,  218. 
Miinn,  Daniel,  167. 
Munson,  H.  B.,  79,  80,  81,  82,  83, 
84,  90,  101,    102,  104,  105, 
117,  133,  140. 

Byion  W.,  96. 

Charles,  131. 

Dennis  H.,  183. 

Marcus  E.,  96. 

Thomas,  111. 
Muiray,  Abraham,  52. 
Mygatt,  Henry  S.,  86,  87. 

Nathans,  Isaac,  79. 
Naugatuck  Railroad,  73, 76,  78,85. 
Naukotunk,  17. 
Nehawkumme,  42. 
Nettleton,  Enos  G.,  25,  150. 

Josiah,  26,  132,  150,  151. 

Susanna,  168. 
Newel,  Asahel,  52. 
New  Haven   &  Sevniour  Plank 

Road  Co.,  86. 
Neuschler,  Fred,  292. 
Newheim,  Adam,  102,  105. 
Newman,  Robert,  188. 
Newton,  Charles,  134. 

Fletcher,  53. 

Henrietta.  170. 

Julius  H.,  147. 
Nicholas,  Wm.,  96. 
Nichols,  Abel,  Rev.,  27. 

Anne,  193. 

Benjamin,  213. 

John,  197. 

Rev.  Mr.,  160. 

Samuel,  187. 

Sheldon,  216. 


240 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUE. 


Nichols,  William  B.,  15. 
Nixou,  Rev.  Johu,  177. 
Noble,  Francis,  147. 

Henry  L.,  203. 
Northrop,  Beardslev,  Kev.,  176. 

Betsey,  204. 

Ebenezer,  64,  301. 

H.  D.,  Rev.,  14. 

John,  152. 

Lairra  E.,  Mrs.,  15. 

Mr.,  115. 
Norton,  Lucy,  130. 

Major  Russell,  222. 
Noyes,  Hannsili,  167. 
Nugent,  C.  C,  183. 
Nyumphs,  39,  41. 

Oatnian,  Chas.,  Ill,  115. 
O'Brien,  George,  96. 

Timothy,  135. 
O'Callaghan,  Dennis,  135. 
Ockemunge,  42. 
OClaughessy,  David,  96. 
O'Donnell,  WiUiam,  135. 
Old  Coins,  23,  24. 
Old  Field  Brook,  109. 
Olmstead,  Mrs.  C.  J.,  15. 

,  157. 

O'Riley,  Rt.  Rev.  Bernard,  84. 
Ormsbee,  Sarah  L.,  14. 
Osborn,  David,  Rev.,  179. 

Ebenezer,  56. 

Ensign,  52. 

Gilbert  E.,  198. 

Harry,  132,  218. 

Harvey,  170. 

Joseph,  43. 

Lois,  197. 

Mattie,  16. 

Merritt,  182. 

Moses,  175. 

Noah,  15. 

Sarah,  170. 

Sarah  M.,  110. 

Sarah  S.,  16. 

Thomas,  43. 
Ostrander,  Rev.  Daniel,  174-5-7. 
Oxtbrd,  39,  88,  125. 

Incorpoiation  of,  54,  55. 

Parish  of,  43. 

St.  Peter's,  44. 

Page,  Charles,  224. 

Edmund,  57. 

Pliilo,  56. 
Paine,  Mary  Ann,  214. 
Papermaking  in  Seymour,  72, 120 
Pardee,  Abigail,  225. 

Austin  R.,  76. 

John,  224. 
Park,  8,  47. 
Parker,  Eri,  168. 

Norman,  87. 

Salmon,  56. 
Parmelee,  li-aE.,  152. 
Patchen,  Eloazer,  56,  113. 

Jane,  70,  120. 
Patcher,  Jaue,  218. 
Patterson,  Henry,  78. 
Paugussett,  5,  6,  21,  43. 
Pease,  Rev,  Wm.  T.,  177. 
Peck,  Bezaleel,   21,  54,    112,  113, 

Ebenezer,  113,  130.  (176,182. 

Edward  G.,  138. 

Elbert  A.,  102. 

Justus,  154. 

Martha,  176,  205,  222. 

Naamau,  54. 

Nathan,  Jr.,  83. 

Noah,  52. 

Orriii,  176. 
I'eet,  Elijah,  210. 
Perkins,  A  i  igail,  220. 


Perkins,  Jesse  C,  117. 

Lucinda,  170. 

Mary,  217, 219. 

Peter,  170. 

Ruben,  47. 

Ruth,  217. 

Sarah,  223. 
Pero,  38. 
Perry  Family,  213. 

John,  56. 

Martin,  96. 

Nancv,  212. 

Rev.  L.  P.,  180. 

Yelverton,  210,  212. 
Pettingil,  Rev.  Amos,  13,  69. 
Phauton,  Laura,  205. 
Phelps,  Ansou  G.,  72,  73,  85. 

Charles  B.,  87. 

Edward  D.,  96,  134. 
Pickett,  John,  45. 

Rachel,  197. 
Pickhardt,  Carrie  L.,  16. 
Pierce,  Rev.  Aaron,  176,  181. 
Pierson,  Aaron,  115. 

David,  46. 

EUzabeth  C,  15. 

Lieut.,  52. 

Nathan,  Capt.,  47. 

Rev.  Mr.,  186. 

Richard,  100. 
Pinesbridge,  38,  39. 
Pine  Tree  Shilling,  23. 
Pitcher,  Thomas,  56. 
Pitt,  John,  77,  130. 
Plant,  Ebenezer,  48. 
Piatt,  Geo.  B.,  132. 

Josiah,  193. 

Miss,  152. 
Poe,  Edgar  A.,  127. 
Poke  By-law,  89. 
Polly,  Jarvis,  82. 
Pool,  Mioah,  48,  149,  150. 
Pope,  M.  H.,  134. 
Postmasters,  79. 
Potter,  Esther,  221. 

Gideon,  225. 

Miss,  158. 
Pound  By-law,  82. 
Powers,  Aldeu,  218. 
Prescott,  Sherman,  212. 
Priestly,  John,  52. 
Prince,  Chas.,  96. 

Truman,  217. 
Prindle,  Rev.  Chauncey.   26,  44. 

John,  52. 
Pritchard,  Ennis,  47. 

Jabez  E.,  83,  84,  105,  224. 

Jabez,  Lieut.,  50,  52, 123, 138. 

James,  Jr.,  47,  195. 

Leverett,  21,  25,56,69,70, 195. 

Olive,  160. 
Prudden,  Peter,  170. 

Sally,  170,  171. 

Samuel,  171. 
Pug.sley,  Cornelius,  214. 
Pulford,  Frederick  W.,  139. 
Pulling,  Rev.  A.  B.,  126, 180,181. 
Pullman,  Rev.  Joseph,  102,  180. 
Pui-vis,  Rev.  John,  27. 
Putnam,  Daniel  I.,  76,  134. 

O.  C,  161. 

Quaker  Farms,  40,  127. 
Quaker  Farms  Purchase,  43. 
Quick,  Rev.  A.  J.,  15. 
Quiering,  Fieddie,  16. 
Christian,  152. 

Radcliffe,  Walter  W.,  199. 
Radford,  H.A.,  74,87,105,134,135 
Randal],  Charles,  74. 

Hiram,  130. 

Hiram  W.,  69,  71,  84,  104. 


Randall,  M.  M.,  139. 
Rankin,  S.  H.,  183. 
Ransom,  Charles,  132,  133. 

Raymond, ,  214. 

Raymond  French  &  Co.,  72. 
Raynor,  Rev.  Meuzies,  174. 
Reade,  Elizabeth,  167. 

Phebe,  167. 
Redshaw,  Joseph  G.,  198. 
Regan,  Michael,  135. 
Representatives,  list  of,  105. 
Revolution,  Incidents  of,  145. 
Revolutionary  period.  45-52. 

Soldiers,  38,  39,  49,  52,  147. 
Sufferings  of,  123. 
Reynolds,  A.  F.,  Prof.,  118. 

Charles,  J.,  16. 

EUa  F.,  Mrs.,  15. 

John  Y.,  97. 

Judah,  188. 

Rufus  K.,  179. 

William  B.,  138. 
Rheylee,  Archer,  56. 
Rice,  AnieUa,  199. 

George,  79.  85. 

Rev.  Phinehas,  174. 
Richardson,  Mrs.  James,  15. 
Ricks,  Mis.  EmmeUne,  14. 
Ricketts,  Geo.  R.  A.,  87. 
Rider,  Clara  S.,  110. 

EUzabeth,  159. 

Henry  A.,  69,  132,  133. 

John  J.,  78,  82,  86,  172. 

Mis.  H.  A.,  15. 

Stephen  R.,  101-2-5,133,152-8. 
RiGGS  Family,  197. 

Abigai!,  194. 

Anna,  128. 

Betsey,  130. 

David,  128. 

David  C,  146. 

David  W.,  219. 

Ebenezer,  44,  46,  170. 

Ebenezer,  Capt.,  48. 

Elizabeth  M.,  161. 

Garey,  132,  133. 

Harpin,  28,  82-3-9, 103-4-7. 164 

Harriett,  110,  161. 

James,  195. 

John,  46,  58,  109,  121, 130,171. 
200. 

John,  Capt.,  46,  47,  53,  56. 

John  H.,  97,  114,  138. 

Joseph,  53,  63,  128. 

Joseph,  Capt.,  55,  46. 

Joseph,  Lieut.,  52. 

Lama,  170,  171. 

Lowis,  47. 

Luciuda,  155. 

Lyman,  132. 

Mary,  130. 

Moses,  25,  58,  130,  161. 

Samuel,  53,56,114,131,132,194 

Samuel,  Ensign,  7. 

Sarah,  39,  110,  117,  188. 
RUey,  Horace,  77. 
RLmJaion  Buryuig  Ground,  39, 128 
Rimmon  Dam,  74,  78. 
Rimmon  District,  47. 
Rimmon  Hill,  39. 
Rimmon  Paper  Co.,  77,  123. 
Rimmon  Water  Co.,  102. 
Roads  Across  Great  HUl,  40. 
Roads,  Shrub  Oak  to  Derby  Nar- 
rows, 60. 
Roads  to  Waterbury,  40. 
Robbius,  Nehemiah,  85. 
Robert,  John  W.,  209. 
Roberts,  Rev.  George,  174. 
Robinson,  Geo.  B.,  170,  220. 

James,  89. 

Mrs.  E.  A.,  15. 
Rockers  HUl,  7,  40,  52. 


HISTORY  OF  SBYMOUE. 


241 


Rock  Rimmon,  39. 
Rock  Spring  Division.  76,  78. 
Rockwell,  Jacob,  132. 
Rogers,  Ammi,  Rev.,  26. 

Evan,  Rev.,  174. 

Geo.  A.,  105,  134. 

H.  C,  97,  183. 

John  W.,  105. 

Mary  A.,  205. 
Roman  Catholic  Churcli,  18,  84. 
Rood,  Isaac,  138. 
Root,  Oliver,  52. 
Rose,  Henry,  97. 
Roselle,  Samuel,  72,  89.   105.  120. 
Rowe,  Daniel,  173. 

Isaac,  114,  226. 

John,  195. 

Keziah,  206. 
RubbermiU  Burned,  101. 
Rugg,  Fred  A.,  134. 

HarveY,  134. 
Russell,  Eliza,  109. 

Frank  H.,  Mrs.,  115. 

Henry,  74. 

Joseph,  46,  48,  154. 

Samuel,  45.  149,  150,  211. 

Stephen  D.,  28,  89,    90.    101, 
102,  105,  133. 

Timothy,  224.  231. 
Ryan,  John,  97. 

Patrick,  97. 

William  E.,  97. 

Sackett,  David,  156. 

Mary  A.,  180. 
Sage,  Harlow  P.,  115. 
Saltonstall,  Sir  Richard,  207. 
Sanford,  Augusta,  110,  1.52. 

A.  H.,  Rev.,  69. 

David,  70,  130,  1,32,  147. 

Eli,  163. 

Herschel,  217. 

Joseph,  52.  147. 

John,  56. 
•  Miss,  158. 

Moses,  56. 

Olive,  156. 

Raymond,  Capt.,  50,  147. 

Samuel,  Dr.,25.54-.5-7,130,195 

Sarah,  206. 

Sheldon  C,  13. 

S.  P.,  39. 

Thomas,  86. 

Zadoc,  39. 
Sargent,  Clement  A.,  74,  161. 
Satterlee,  Samuel  K.,  87. 
Schermerhorn,  Catharine,  172. 
Schneider,  Henry  C,  140. 
Scholefield,  Rev.'  Arnold,  175. 176 
Schools  of  Seymour,  106. 

Beacon  Falls,  46. 

Bell,  112,  152. 

Bungay,  47,  110. 

Cedar  Ridge,  111. 

Center,  107, 117,  152. 

Consolidation  of,  103. 

First  Intermediate,  117. 

Great  HiU,  108,  150. 

Hjgh,  101,  108. 

Second  Intermediate.  117. 

Shrub  Oak,  47,  106,  110,  1.52. 

Squantuck  District,  109. 
School  Societies,  106,  108. 
School  Visitors,  107,  118. 
Scott,  Henry,  109. 

Jesse,  131. 

John,  202,  134. 

Prudence,  217. 

Ruth  Ann,  202. 

R.  W.,  134. 

,  147. 

Scoville,  Mr.,  145. 
Scranton,  Amos  H.,  140. 


Scranton,  Monroe,  108. 
Scucurra,  6. 
Seabury,  Rev.  Geo.,  29. 
Seamer,  Mercy,  203. 
Searl,  Rev.  Roger,  174. 
Seeley,  William,  146,  147. 
Segears,  Edwin  C,  15. 
Selectmen  of  Seymour,  105. 
SeUeck,  Joel  F.,  111. 
Seymour,  Mary,  63. 

Thomas  ti.,  73. 
Seymour  and  New  Haven  Plank 

Road  Co.,  86. 
Seymour  and  Woodbury  Plank 

Road  Co.,  87. 
Seymour  Bible  Society,  135. 
Seymour  boundaries,  change,  88. 
Seymour  in  the  RebeUion,  90. 
Seymour  Record,  143. 
Seymour  Savings  Bank,  86. 
Shannon,  M.  P.,  Mrs.,  29. 

O.  E.,  Rev., 28,29, 101,102,107 
Sharpe  Faahly,  207. 

Charles  W.,  Rev., 117,118,152 

David  W.,  97. 

Lugiand,    18,   117,   127,  156, 
181,  183. 

Mary,  127. 

Olive  Maria,  218. 

Thomas,  of  Boston,  207.. 

Thomas,  of  Stratford,  207. 

Thomas,  of  Newtown,  127. 

Thomas,  of  Oxford,  208. 

Thomas,  of  Seymour,  140, 181 

William  C,  107,   108,  111. 
139,  140,  181,  183. 
Sheard,  Charles,  16. 
Shehan,  Cornelius,  97. 
Sheldon,  Francis,  97. 
Shelton,  Ann  EUza,  110. 

Geo.  P.,  73,  74,  82,  84,  85,  86. 
Shensou,  John,  133. 
Sherman,  Charles,  15. 

C.  S.,  Rev.,  15. 

Lemuel,  210. 

Mary,  167. 

PoUy,  208. 

Rebekah,  167. 

,  136. 

Sherman  &  Beardsley,  79. 
Sherwood,  Cornelia  &.,  152. 
Short,  Sylvester,  97. 

Charles,  134. 
Shubael,  38. 
Shultz,  Addie,  162. 
Silliman,  Benjamin,  229. 
Simpson,  Mrs.  D.,  16. 
Skeals,  Abial,  56. 
Skeel,  Hannah,  169. 
Skeels,  Jason,  130. 
Skiene,  Margaret,  172. 
Skokorat,  6,  40,  41,  42. 
Small  Pox,  54,  57,  79. 
Smith,  Abner,  Rev.,  119. 

Abraham,  45. 

Albert  E.,  110. 

Almon,  115. 

Alonzo  T.,  78. 

Amos,  116,  172. 

Anna,  216. 

Anson,  97. 

Arthur  J.,  182. 

Bela,  Rev.,  176. 

Bevil  P.,  86. 

Burton  W.  28-9,71-2-3-4-6-7-8-9 
90,   101-2-4-5-7-9,  140,  152. 

Caroline,  204. 

Charlotte  M.,  111. 

Christopher,  108,  109,149,150 

Corporal,  52. 

Cj-nthia,  161. 

Daniel,  132. 

Daniel,  Rev.,  177. 


Smith,  David,  215. 

Dinah,  221. 

Edwin,  70,  89,105,180,183,223 

Elijah,  56. 

EUza,  172. 

EmUy,  110. 

Ephraim,  109. 

Ephraim  G.,  Rev.,  19. 

Esther,  212. 

E.  W.,  Rev.,  179. 

Frank  A.,  16. 

George,  134,  139,  223. 

George  A.,  97. 

Gibson,  113. 

Hannah,  217. 

Ira,  Col.,  10,  63,  113,  130,  155 

Ira,  Rev.,  19,  20,  68. 

Isaac,  45,  48. 

James,  140,  164. 

James  M.,  Rev.,  174. 

Jesse,  56,  69,  130,  195. 

John,  105,  110,  132,  151,  223. 

JohnD.,  Rev.,  27,  178. 

John  W.,  103. 

Joseph  H.,  134. 

Joseph,  Rev.,  180,  182. 

Lydia,  Mrs.,  225. 

Lyman,  56,  70,  71,  114. 

Margaret,  16. 

Mary  A.,  109. 

Matilda,  110. 

Matthias,  218. 

M.  Maria,  Mrs.,  161. 

Nathan,  Major,  147. 

Samuel,  Jr.,  46,  113. 

Sarah,  130. 

Sylvester,  Rev.,  75,  77,  79, 
82,  86-7,  102-3-4-7-9,  111, 
112,  121,177-8-9,180,182-3. 

Sylvester  P.,  206. 

Titus,  217. 

Watie  G.,  197. 

Wilbur  W.,  Capt.,  73,  97, 
103,  108,  122. 

William,  52,  108,  212. 

WiUiam  C,  82. 

William  E.,  179. 

Willis,  132. 

,  208,  214. 

Smith  &  Bassett,  79,  121,  123. 
Smith  &  Sanford,  114. 
Smith's  PapermiU,  103,  121. 
Soldiers  of  the  Revolution,    38, 
39,  49  to  52,  147. 

War  of  1812,  63,  147. 

Mexican  War,  73. 

War  of  the  Rebellion,  92,  147. 
Somers,  Elvira  W.,  110. 

Charity,  157. 
Soule,  Henchman  S.,  87. 
South  Britain,  125. 
Southbury,  125. 
Sonthford,  Union  Church,  127. 
Sparks,  Rev.,  Thomas,  178. 
Spencer,  EUzabeth,  170. 

James  L.,  15,16,74,76,130, 139 

Mary  E.,  16. 

John,  56. 

Rufus,  110. 
SpeiTv,  Adaline,  13,  158. 

Alexander,  52. 

Elizabeth,  206. 

Emmaretta,  110,  199. 

Emmeline,  13. 

Erastus,  154. 

Erazmass,  113. 

George  C,  140. 

Grace,  224. 

Isaac  J.,  13,  114,  152. 

Jabin,  52. 

Job,  52. 

Joshua,  53. 

Jonathan,  52,  53. 


242 


HISTORY  OF  SEYMOUR. 


Sperry,  Julia,  154. 

Laiira  A.,  152. 

Miss,  217. 

Norman,  102,  103,107,108,198 

PMo,  52,  53. 

Riifus,  Mrs.,  15. 

Samuel,  53. 

Silas,  131. 
Shelton,  David,  215. 

WilUam,  211. 
Skeels,  Arad,  212. 

Delia,  212. 
Snell,  Mrs.  Eliza,  202. 
Spiers,  John,  140. 
Squantuck,  7,  52. 
Squantuck  School,  109. 
Squares,  Reuben,  167. 
Squire,  Ruth,  15G. 

Solomon,  156. 
Stanbui-y,  Alice,  162. 
Stanley,  Celia  A.,  118. 
Steams,  Rev.  Chas.,  79,  179. 
Steele  Family,  203,  222. 

Albert  J.,  74,  75,  79, 117,  220. 

Ashbel,  47,  113. 

Deacon  Bradford,  10,  16,  19, 
21,  39,  50,  58,  69,  113,  114, 
123,  126,  130,  163,  204. 

Bradford,  Lieut.,  45,  52. 

Bradford,  Capt.,  21,  41,  45, 
46,  47,  50,  1'30,  195,  204. 

Edmund,  114,  115,  219. 

Elisha,  21. 

Emmeline,  Mrs.,  14. 

Eunice,  195. 

Frank  E.,  105. 

George,  56,'  146. 

John  B.,  107,  117. 

Mary,  130. 

Millie,  215. 

Norman,  130. 

Sarah,  10,  68. 

Wmiam  W.,  76. 
Stetson,  Nancy,  209. 
Stevens,  Ann'S.,  Mrs.,  62,  126-7. 

Edward,  127. 

James  A.,  76,  79,  134. 

Rev.  Ebenezer,  174.  . 

Stevenson,  Rev.  Thomas,  180. 
Stiles,  Mr.,  174. 

Nathan,  25,  113. 

Nathan  Jr.,  56. 

Phebe,  63. 
Stm,  Jacob  L.,  97. 
Stilsou,  Sarah,  193,  194. 
Stockwell,  Geo.  E.,  183. 
Stoudaru  Family,  165. 

Abiram,  Dr.,  130,  203. 

John,  82,  85,  130. 

OUver,  112. 

Oliver  H.,  56,  132. 

Eunice,  130,  203. 

Thomas,  Dr.,  17,  36,  79,  82, 
117,  139,  174. 

Hannah,  113. 

Susan  H.,  203. 

William  B.,  101. 
Stone,  Leman,  57. 

Miss,  168. 

Noah,  132. 

RoUin  S.,  Rev.,  12,  13,  19. 
Stone  Bridge,  46. 
Storer,  E.  &.,  133. 
StoiTS,  Ashbel,   22,  87,   103,  112, 
122,  133,  140. 

Charles  W.,  73,  79,  103,  108. 
139,  152,  170. 

Hattie  L.,  206. 

John  W.,  74,  76,  77,  78,  79. 

John,  130,  132. 

Arthur  L.,  134. 

William  N.,  89.  105,  182,  183. 

Laura,  155. 


Strapp,  Edward,  135. 
Stratford  Bridge,  57. 
Stratton,  Seth  Sherwood,  208, 209 

Shelton  B.,  209. 
Streets,  High,  82. 

Names  of,  124. 

Humphrey,  72. 
Strong,  Josiah,  48,  56. 

Leman,  56. 

Mary,  214. 

Preserved,  167. 
Stuart,  L.  B.,  140. 

Mr.,  (Teacher),  117. 
Sullivan,  Peter,  135. 
Summers,  Luciuda,  218. 
Sutton,  Nancy,  110. 
Swain,  Rev.  Richard,  174. 
Swan,   James,   15,  19,   104.    105. 
141,  155. 

Jessie,  16. 
Swayne,  Rachel,  226. 
Swift,  Charles  W.,  97. 

Charles,  74,  76.  152. 

Ephraim,  Rev.  G.,  13,  19. 

Hortie  V.,  Mrs.,  15. 

John,  52,  60. 

Josiah,  26,  56,  113,  114. 

Mary  A.,  117. 

Sarah,  110,  111. 

Zephaniah,  Rev.,  10.  11,  12. 
13,  19. 
Sykes,  Rev.  O.,  71,  174,  176,  178. 

Talmadge,  James,  44. 
Taylor,  ElUiu,  210. 

General,  77. 

Isora,  172. 

Rev.  Geo.  L.,  180, 

Rev.  Joshua,  174. 
Teacher's  Institute,  101. 
Teachers,  names  of,  109,  110,111, 

117,  118. 
Temperature,  Notes  on.  84,  89. 
Terrill,  Elizabeth,  223. 

Jane,  110,  111. 

Sarah,  164. 

Smith,  112. 

Solomon,  111. 
Tharp,  EUza,  155. 
Thatcher,  Rev.  William,  174,  175 
Thayer,  Benjamin  B,,  100.  148. 

Mrs.  B.  B.,  16. 

Reuben  W.,  97. 

William,  98. 
The  Fowler  Nail  Co.,  122. 
The  New  Haven  Copper  Co.,  87, 

142. 
Thomas,  Francis  N.,  111. 

George  W.,  131. 

Rev.  Noble  W.,  174. 

Thadias,  56. 
Thompson  Family,  188. 

Anthony,  188. 

Bridgett,  187. 

Charles,  Rev.,  13,  19. 

Cynthia,  209. 

Daniel,  114. 

Hannah,  224. 

Jabez,  48. 

James,  Rev.,  26. 

Joseph,  208,  209. 

Mary  Ann,  209. 

Moses,  225. 
Thomson,  Rev.  Wm.  J.,  16. 

Hezekiah,  113. 

Lois,  70,  120. 

Major  Jabez,  45,  48. 

Mehitable,  170. 

Rebecca,  220. 

Reuben,  170. 

Thorpe, ,  210. 

Tibbals,  Rev.  C.  A.,  181. 
Tibbils,  Abner,  151. 


Tift,  John,  43. 
Titles,  Civil  and  Military,  8. 
Toby's  Rock,  36,  39,  46. 
Todii,  Rev.  Ambrose,  26. 

Sybil,  161. 
Toffey,  Mary  A.,  171. 
Tolles,  Miss,  217. 
Tolls,  Caroline,  155. 

WiUiam,  168. 
ToMLiNsoN  Family,  210. 

Agur,  45. 

Ammon,  109. 

Benjamin,  149. 

Betsey,  109. 

Burr,  209. 

Cyrus,  56. 

Daniel,  150. 

David,  47,  151,  172,  175,  211. 

David,  Mrs.,  175. 

Edwin,  105. 

EUen,  160. 

Emma  S.,  110,  117. 

George  A.,  213. 

H.  A.,  110. 

Hannah,  7. 

Harrison,  73,   79,  83,  85,  86, 
116,  117,  171. 

Henry,  45,  150,  149,  214. 

James,  175. 

James  C,  106. 

Jane,  109. 

Jennette,  217. 

John,  209. 

John  R.,  171. 

John,  Capt.,  45,  46,  47,  48. 

Joseph,  150. 

Kate,  213. 

Laura,  111,  206,  211,  212. 

Leroy,  112. 

Levi,  21,  25,  54,  113,  195. 

Mark,  130. 

Mary,  117. 

Nathan,  152. 

Noah,  46,  47,  48. 

Patience,  214. 

Phebe,  110. 

PhEo,  195. 

Ransom,  73,  87,  98,  152. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  W.,  9,  10. 

Russell,  25,  150,  209,  211. 

Samuel,  40,  201. 

Sarah,  172,  211. 

Sybil,  214. 

Truman,  215. 

Webb,  150. 

William,  7. 

William  R.,  52,56,105,109,160 
Torrance,  Thomas,  .52,  53. 
Touantic  Brook,  47. 
Towner,  Joseph,  43. 
Townhouse,  102. 
Town  Clerks,  List  of  104. 
Town  Debt,  104. 
Town  Reports,  103. 
Town  Treasurers,  List  of,  104. 
Tracey,  Patrick,  89. 
Training  Day,  70. 
Travis,  Mrs.,  152. 

Rev.  Robert,  178. 
Treadwell,  Mary,  207,  208. 
Treat,  Robert,  6. 

David,  60. 
Trinity  Church,  25. 
Trowliridge,  Amasa,  122. 

Isaac,  43,  44. 

Mary,  221. 
Truesdell,  Lucius  B.,  98. 
Tucker  Family,  219. 

Ann,  171. 

Anna,  204. 

Byron,  98,  218. 

Daniel,  Jr.,  59, 60. 

David,  76,  89,  108,  134,  139. 


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